Church News – Weekly Scripture Reading

Getting to Know Mary Wall

By Dale Buchanan

Stepping out of the pews this week is Mary Wall.  I am sure that you will recognize Mary who has served as the spokesperson for the Stewardship and Sustainable Growth Committee the last several weeks.  Asking for money from the church family is always a delicate proposition and money pleas are not one of my favorite things about church life. The gentle attitude and gracious spirit that Mary used to present the committee’s program disarmed even this old curmudgeon. 😊

From the beginning Mary has been on my list.  After observing her work from the lectern these past weeks, I sent Gayle to convince her.  And it worked. 😊 Instead interrupting her lunch during fellowship time, Gayle sent an email and a positive response came back almost immediately.  Mary and Gayle arranged the time and place and the three of us spent a delightful Saturday morning gathering material for this condensed autobiographical sketch.

“Dale charged me with telling my story along with a threat that he would use what he calls “poetic license” to fill in any blanks I might leave in my narrative.  I see Gayle making notes and I feel certain that everything will be on the up and up.

I met Peter in law school.  He was a night student and I had day classes.  The common denominator the first year was reading each other’s blogs.  The second year we shared some of the same classes but had different study partners.  Both shy and introverted, the last year of our three-year program found us study partners and best friends.  I found him to be hilarious, witty, a fast typist, a fast thinker, and he was our class valedictorian. I liked him! We graduated law school in May of 2008, studied for the bar exam together, and both passed it in November of the same year.  We were married in October 2009, and we have just celebrated our 10th anniversary.

My passion is law, and I have served it in one form or another my whole career.  From the very beginning I have felt a strong sense of justice. During my law student days, I served in the District Attorney’s office.  I began my profession as a deputy prosecutor enthusiastically pursuing the bad guys. I was fixated on delivering justice. Like the person with the proverbial bee in her bonnet, I pursued justice. While my enthusiasm for justice remained, after ten years the office politics and drama were beginning to wear on me.  The competition for convictions seemed to outweigh the search for fairness and equality. This sense of discontent led me not away from the law but to a different place to serve my passion for justice. 

I serve today as a Parole Board Commissioner appointed by the governor.  There are seventeen of us who serve state prisons from one end of the state to the other.  Each of us works with a Deputy Commissioner, and we may be called to any prison in the state, although my partner and I are most likely to be found in the Central Valley between Galt and Tehachapi.  I love what I do. The best way to explain my affinity is to contrast the prosecutor with the parole commissioner. The prosecutor’s job is to prove guilt and lock you up. My job as a commissioner is to determine a potential parolee’s risk to society and grant or deny parole.

There are several steps required before we grant or deny parole.  The first part of the process is the prep work. This includes such mundane tasks as setting up hotel reservations to the complexities of reading the inmates file which could include up to a thousand pages.  There is a psychologist report to digest and incarceration histories to consider before the actual hearing.

At the scheduled hour we gather in a conference room.  Typically present will be the inmate and his attorney, the prosecuting D.A., the commissioner, the deputy commissioner, and next of kin to the victims. Everyone in the room has an argument to present, a stake in the decision that I will ultimately make.  My task is to be a good listener, to carefully discern each speaker’s motives, and to determine if I am hearing the truth. Because, after all is said and done, I am charged with assessing the risk to society if the inmate is released back into the civilian population.  The courts have mandated that the prison population be reduced, but this is to be accomplished only by releasing the right people. My job is to protect the public and that feels like justice; and my job is to release the right inmates and that feels like justice.

I guess my story would not be complete without mentioning that Peter and I are infected with the travel bug.  I caught it from my love of English history and watching jousting on TV. Peter was interested in seeing a famous cathedral in Barcelona.  These two destinations only increased our itch, and a year later found us on another tour visiting castles and Roman ruins. Then on our recent 10th anniversary, we celebrated on the California coast in a cottage just south of Carmel and took in the unparalleled beauty of the Pacific shore.  Next year, a guided tour that follows the steps of Paul on his mission around Turkey is on the agenda. Our bucket list also includes Greece, Scotland, and Egypt.

Peter was raised a Mennonite, and I was Roman Catholic.  Four years ago, we attended a Christmas concert at Big Red and were so impressed that we decided to attend the Christmas Eve candlelight service.  That January found us in regular worship and every Sunday since then.”

Advent Devotional • December 9

Monday, December 9
Written by Rev. Ara Guekguezian
Community United Church of Christ
Isaiah 11:1-10

Hearing that the wolf shall live with the lamb…and the lion shall eat straw like the ox is a bit unnerving. These few words reflect a complete transformation of the created order. How will we be able to function or dwell in a completely different universe? The passage concludes with ‘and his dwelling shall be glorious.’ But you and I are normal (ish) human beings.

The restoration, the wholeness, the shalom of this eleventh chapter of Isaiah begins with the very usual way: the salvific act and person comes naturally. New life comes directly from a healthy root. The Messiah is not a superhero alien coming from another part of the universe, but from our forebears. And we follow directly from that stump, that root. The one who is the fulfillment of these words, uttered a few of his own: I am the vine and you are the branches.

As we wait, we also prepare to participate in the transformational acts that make peace and establish justice.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

Advent Devotional • December 8

Sunday, December 8
Journal
Matthew 3:1-12

The Proclamation of John the Baptist
In those days John the Baptist
appeared in the wilderness of Judea,
proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven has come near.’ This is the one of
whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a
leather belt around his waist, and his food was
locusts and wild honey. Then the people of
Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to
him, and all the region along the Jordan, and
they were baptized by him in the river Jordan,
confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and
Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to
them, ‘You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the wrath
to come? Bear fruit worthy of
repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves,
“We have Abraham as our ancestor”;
for I tell you, God is able from these stones to
raise up children to Abraham. Even now the
ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree
therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire.
‘I baptize you with water for
repentance, but one who is more
powerful than I is coming after me; I am not
worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His
winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear
his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat
into the
granary; but the chaff he will burn with
unquenchable fire.’

Journal Prompt:

Read the above text from Matthew 3:1-12. There is strong, graphic imagery in this passage. What is your initial reaction to it? Write down your gut reaction. Read it again. Did anything change upon a second reading? Were your initial feelings strengthened? Read it one more time, and journal any insights that this story about John the Baptist might have revealed.

 

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

Advent Devotional • December 7

Saturday, December 7

Written by Peter Wall
First Congregational Church of Fresno
Isaiah 8:17

“I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.” —Isaiah 8:17

As a child, having been taught that God is everywhere, and that God loves everyone, it would have scared me to think that God might hide. As an adolescent straining to break free from the burdens of tradition, I would have reveled in a hiding God as
license to challenge the people who claimed to speak for God. As a younger adult with a demand that be God subordinated to logic, the hiddenness of God would have been evidence to me that God was either malicious (and therefore unworthy of devotion), or incoherent (and therefore nonexistent).

Now, at whatever age I am, I think of the opening lines of Dante’s Inferno:

Midway upon the journey of our life
  I found myself within a forest dark,
  For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

And I recognize the words of the prophet Isaiah for the poetry that they are.

The light changes. What seemed certain a moment ago is hazy now. But here we still are, passing through the gloam, unable to see, and remaining on the journey, even when the pathway is lost. How? By hope, which is not mere optimism, or sheer
determination to put one foot in front of the other. Hope is more rigorous than that:

“Hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion … hope is subversive, for it limits the grandiose pretension of the present, daring to
announce that the present to which we have all made commitments is now called into question.” (Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination (2nd ed.), p. 65.)

Hope like that can change the world.

 

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

Advent Devotional • December 6

Friday, December 6

Written by Christopher Williams
First Congregational Church of Fresno
Romans 13:11-14

 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

In this passage Paul is giving Christians a “wake up call”, telling us that the long night is over and that the morning approaches. Paul is speaking figuratively and not suggesting that Christians must become morning people (much to the relief of several Christian friends I know). Paul is saying that as Christians we need to set aside the things that make our spirit unclean, literally calling out the sins of drunkenness and sexual immorality. If we are to make a better world or a paradise as the one that Christ has promised us then we must work towards purity of spirit. God sent humanity His son as an example of what each of us is capable of achieving. To hear the gospel, ignore it, and wonder why God hasn’t given us a shiny new planet to live on is pure folly.

When Paul says “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here”, he isn’t referring to humanity being whisked off to some kingdom in the clouds but is instead giving
humanity the instructions on how to create such a world here on earth. If we clothe
ourselves “with the Lord Jesus Christ” and perform His works rather than those of a malevolent nature then we will only bring about our salvation and the salvation of
humanity.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

Advent Devotional • December 5

Thursday, December 5

Journal
Micah 5:2-5

The Ruler from Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem
of Ephrathah,
   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
   from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
   when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
   to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
   to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.

   If the Assyrians come into our land
   and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven
shepherds
   and eight installed as rulers.

Read the above text from Micah 5:2-5. What stands out to you? What questions do you have? Do you find hope within the text? What other feelings do you experience?

Feel free (but not obligated) to share your response in the comments.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

Getting to Know Deanna Householder

By Dale Buchanan

My husband Harold and I were married in an Episcopal church, attended Big Red on Easter Sunday–the first Sunday after our wedding. And Big Red has been our church home ever since. My name is Deanna and I am honored to have the opportunity of sharing with all of you this short story autobiography.

Way down in the southern end of California’s Central Valley, there is a sleepy, little town called Taft. Daddy graduated from college as an engineer and was hired to run the refinery for the oil company in Kern County where his dad had worked in the oil fields. I was born in Taft and memories of my first seven years there remain among my most cherished. 

I vividly recall the small rural village of Taft—one of those small towns you miss if you blink as you drive through. It was a wonderful place for a little girl. I could walk wherever I chose with one exception. I was not to go past the houses to the field where there was a horse. But I did. 😊  That horse and the little girl had many fascinating conversations across the fence. Our next-door neighbors had a son named Donnie and he had a Boston terrier. The three of us passed the innocent days of summer as if there were no tomorrow. Indeed, in my mind today, I can recall every street and every house just as they were in those blissful days of my childhood. 

We lived in Taft until I was seven years old. Then dad’s business took us to the Oakland hills. As an only child, I found the Oakland hills a perfect blend of rural and urban environments. Next to our housing development there was an open area with plenty of room for a little girl to explore and imagine a wilderness existence. At the same time, I had all the advantages of a suburban neighborhood. A school just a block away provided a large assortment of playmates, and there was a library just half a block down the street–the source of more books than I could possibly read. The habit of reading has stayed with me to this day. I belong to a book club and we are currently reading the best seller Where the Crawdads Sing. 

Seventh grade found us living in Fresno and me attending Hamilton Junior High School. Next it was Fresno High. I loved every minute of high school!  I joined and was active in every group available. I sang in the choir and in a trio, was in the Pep Club, and held student offices. I had more friends than you could shake a stick at, and we had a big group cry when graduation made us alumni instead of students.

I always knew I wanted to do something with science and my dream was to attend U.C. Davis and become a veterinarian. That was a difficult ambition for a woman in 1956, and I was told that the university discouraged women from entering that program. At that time, polio was at epidemic stages, and I decided to become a physical therapist to help children who were victims of polio. Since there was not a physical therapy program at Fresno State, I majored in child development. With that degree in hand and a scholarship from the Elks, I was accepted at the University of San Francisco and became a licensed physical therapist.

I came back to Fresno, married, and worked for the county in California Children’s Services. My career was put on hold with the arrival of my two children Mark and Kristy. I became a stay-at-home mom until the children were six and eight-years-old respectively. I went to work for the Lori Ann Infant Program which eventually became a part of Fresno Unified School District. It serves children with special needs from birth to three years of age and their families. After twenty years of working in this program, the school district told me I needed to have a teaching credential. I was not going to leave this work I loved, so I went to Fresno State and got a teaching credential, and I was blessed to work in this chosen field for thirty years. My experiences working with special needs children as a physical therapist were always exhilarating. Parents, who were totally numb, saw their children accomplish things they never dreamed possible. I brought them hope and I loved my job.

After serving in the Army, Harold came to Fresno State to get his education and play football at Fresno State. I was reluctant to date this huge football player at first, but time erased my anxiety. We were married in 1961, and our years together have passed the test of time for over fifty years. 

I am a survivor of breast and bladder cancer since 2002. I am determined to live my live positively. I find people, friends, and family the most important elements in my life. 

Since retirement I stay active mentoring kindergarten children at Hamilton Elementary School. I sing in the Big Red choir, and serve on Church Life ministry. I am active in the PEO Sisterhood which educates, supports, and motivates women. 

In thinking about my life challenges, I remember my bout with cancer, losing a son, going back to school to get my teaching credential, and the push and pull of family and work. 

My life has been rich and full and the list of things I want to do now is short—travel with Harold and spend as much time as possible with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Advent Devotional • December 4

Wednesday, December 4

Written by Kim Williams
First Congregational Church of Fresno
Mark 13:33-37

“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

What does keeping awake mean in an age of 5-Hour-Energy shots? How can we stomach staying alert and filled with anticipation when we’re not given a tracking number, nor can we watch the progress of the coming of our God on an app on our phones—Oh Good! Just 4 stops away!

The work of alertness has been conquered, commodified, by our packed schedules, tight deadlines, and quad shot espressos. The earnest discomfort in sitting with what feels like a perpetual wait is difficult for us to access because it is, well, uncomfortable. To think about always being on because God might be around the corner, showing up without so much as a courtesy text so I can vacuum up the pet hair from my sofa, is a disruption to the semi-carefully curated “I’ve totally got my stuff together” lifestyle I depict. But that’s the point.

Staying alert is a practice that takes practice, and keeping our hopes up when it feels like we’re waiting in perpetuity is counter-intuitive. It is our task to live our lives in the most loving way we are able, and to stay vigilant. Because this wait is worth it, even if there’s no app to tell us how much longer.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

 

Advent Devotional • December 3

Tuesday, December 3

Written by Rev. David Klingensmith
First Congregational Church of Fresno
Isaiah 2:1-5

Hope is a strong force within us, stronger even than emotion. Children hope for Santa to come, people coming to the US in caravans hope for a brighter future, gay and trans people hope for equality, persons diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses hope for a cure.

Hope can cause us to endure more than we ever thought we could imagine. People go through chemotherapy and radiation sustained by hope. Jews in concentration camps persisted in hope that they would be liberated.

The picture that Isaiah painted showed a place where swords would be beaten into plows, spears into pruning hooks, a place where there would be no more wars, only peace would prevail. Everyone would seek to walk in God’s way.

When we look at our world that is filled with war and hate, discrimination and disease, do we have hope, too, that one day all will be peace, health and equality? It is easy to become discouraged and cynical. But hope can also be a great motivator. We can work for peace, healing and equality in our communities and beyond.

In this Advent season, may we be open to the ways God teaches us and may we walk in hope the path God sets for us.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

 

Advent Devotional • December 2

Monday, December 2
Written by Rev. Dr. Norman Broadbent
First Congregational Church of Fresno
Romans 15:4-13

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by
steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name’;
and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;
and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
   and let all the peoples praise him’;
and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
   the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A colleague of mine tells of a time she was offering a mid-week Advent service at a retirement home. During the service, which drew on this particular passage, one woman quietly repeated over and over, while staring into space, “I love you and you love me. I love you and you love me.” My colleague thought this was a lovely and appropriate refrain for our worship.

But suddenly they were interrupted by another resident, who stood up and said loudly and angrily, “I have a lot of questions.” This stopped my colleague in mid-sentence who answered, “I have a lot of questions too. What are your questions?” She shot right back, “God made all these promises to the Jews. What happened?”  Furthermore, she revealed that she was dying of cancer. She needed to know whether God could be trusted in the face of a terrible present and an uncertain future. She needed hope. So do we all – not sentimental optimism about the future, but a strong confidence in the sovereignty and goodness of God, even and especially in the midst of tragedy.

Today’s passage, arguably the climax of Paul’s letter to the Romans, begins and ends with hope, and it gives the character of God as the basis for that hope. In v. 5, “the God of
steadfastness and encouragement,” to whom scripture witnesses, gives hope. In v. 12 the Gentiles hope is  in the Messiah from the line of  David (God’s promise to the Jews), and in v. 13, the final and familiar blessing sums up the passage, and indeed, the letter as a whole: “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  So let it be for us all.

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.