Dear friends in faith, March 2020
Though a frigid -6 this morning, the sun is shining, the snow glistening, and the ice is melted off the parking lot. I know it is still February, but despite the date and temperature, as I breathed in the early morning air, I smelled spring, heard birds happily singing, and my heart was filled with joy. While I also know there are plenty of cold, gray, snowy days ahead before warmer spring showers bring May flowers, I trust that warm weather is going to come again. It has come every spring of my 61 years, and so I can have reasonable hope that it will again!
For some, the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is completely foreign. Growing up Presbyterian, I was curious about the ashen cross on my Catholic friend’s foreheads, their practice of giving up candy for Lent, and the service called Stations of the Cross. As a child, I knew Jesus loved me, died on a cross, and that on Easter morning the tomb was empty. I remember triumphant Alleluias, the delicious scent of Lilies, and the excitement dreaming of the Easter basket that awaited me at Grandma’s house after church. It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that we Protestants began to admit something was missing, something precious, something to which God was calling us, something our souls deeply needed. We need Lent. Yes, I treasure Advent and am in awe of the miracle of Jesus’ birth, but Lent is a gift that requires no stress of the gift-giving craze that leads to Christmas. Easter is the high holy day of the Christian calendar. The 40 days of Lent (we don’t count Sundays) offer an opportunity to take a closer look at our lives, what last week we called taking a fearless inventory… of that which is life-giving and pleasing to God, and that which needs desperately to change. This is between us, and God. It is not a time for beating one’s self up, but rather compassionate, brutal honesty, for God knows us better than we know ourselves. Lent is not punishment, but an exciting gift! Who am I now and who might I be on the other side of Lent, on Easter morning?
Just as this morning’s sunshine and beautiful bird songs, lifted my spirits, so does the prospect of spiritual growth and formation that comes with a Lent well spent. I pray that you will take advantage of special services and spiritual disciplines (practices) that help us in our deep, heartfelt search for our true God given selves. Our Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday, joining in an ecumenical worship service at the United Presbyterian Church, Salem, 7:00 p.m.
(see HUPC Lenten Schedule 2020 on this website)
Be kind to yourself. Be open, be loved, be held by God, ready to see how the Holy Spirit will bring forth newness of life these Lenten days.
Thanks be to God, we know that the other side of Lent brings Easter joy!
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura <><
"The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love." Zephaniah 3:17
Though a frigid -6 this morning, the sun is shining, the snow glistening, and the ice is melted off the parking lot. I know it is still February, but despite the date and temperature, as I breathed in the early morning air, I smelled spring, heard birds happily singing, and my heart was filled with joy. While I also know there are plenty of cold, gray, snowy days ahead before warmer spring showers bring May flowers, I trust that warm weather is going to come again. It has come every spring of my 61 years, and so I can have reasonable hope that it will again!
For some, the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is completely foreign. Growing up Presbyterian, I was curious about the ashen cross on my Catholic friend’s foreheads, their practice of giving up candy for Lent, and the service called Stations of the Cross. As a child, I knew Jesus loved me, died on a cross, and that on Easter morning the tomb was empty. I remember triumphant Alleluias, the delicious scent of Lilies, and the excitement dreaming of the Easter basket that awaited me at Grandma’s house after church. It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that we Protestants began to admit something was missing, something precious, something to which God was calling us, something our souls deeply needed. We need Lent. Yes, I treasure Advent and am in awe of the miracle of Jesus’ birth, but Lent is a gift that requires no stress of the gift-giving craze that leads to Christmas. Easter is the high holy day of the Christian calendar. The 40 days of Lent (we don’t count Sundays) offer an opportunity to take a closer look at our lives, what last week we called taking a fearless inventory… of that which is life-giving and pleasing to God, and that which needs desperately to change. This is between us, and God. It is not a time for beating one’s self up, but rather compassionate, brutal honesty, for God knows us better than we know ourselves. Lent is not punishment, but an exciting gift! Who am I now and who might I be on the other side of Lent, on Easter morning?
Just as this morning’s sunshine and beautiful bird songs, lifted my spirits, so does the prospect of spiritual growth and formation that comes with a Lent well spent. I pray that you will take advantage of special services and spiritual disciplines (practices) that help us in our deep, heartfelt search for our true God given selves. Our Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday, joining in an ecumenical worship service at the United Presbyterian Church, Salem, 7:00 p.m.
(see HUPC Lenten Schedule 2020 on this website)
Be kind to yourself. Be open, be loved, be held by God, ready to see how the Holy Spirit will bring forth newness of life these Lenten days.
Thanks be to God, we know that the other side of Lent brings Easter joy!
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura <><
"The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love." Zephaniah 3:17
Dear friends,
Our 4 year-old Grandson Josef knows how to ask, “Alexa, what time is it?” And Alexa will mysteriously respond with the time as she can with the weather and nearly anything else you could think to ask. With Thanksgiving behind us, were we asked, “Friend, what time is it?” How would we respond? I know I would be tempted to say that it is time to Christmas shop, write cards, get a tree, finish craft projects, plan parties, and bake cookies. It is time to print out my special month of December calendar so that I might have a chance of “getting things done”! You know where I am going with this… what time is it? Time to do at least some of what will feel uncomfortable, as we are faced with the crush of the season. It is time to wait, and intentional waiting calls for slowing down, not speeding up! Waiting tells us to let go, not take on more and more. Waiting says listen to the quiet. Waiting calls us to see the beauty all around us as well as the neediness. Waiting is far from idle, nor should it be seen as a waste of time when we could be getting so much done. Waiting, and the rest and reflection that it provides is one of the gifts of Advent. As we wait for the coming of Jesus in the manger, we wait hoping that he will come again soon. As we wait and journey toward the manger, the Christ Light glows brighter and brighter, as week-by-week we light one more candle. Jesus shines in our darkness, bringing Hope. Jesus calls us to join him in service, bringing Peace. Jesus’ Spirit is within and all around us bringing Joy. Jesus responds to the sinfulness of the world with his unconditional Love. I pray for you a blessed Advent with moments carved out for beauty, silence, and joyful anticipation. I pray that if you are waiting with a heavy heart that you will feel a blanket of comfort and peace holding you close to God’s heart. Finally I pray that your Advent waiting will find balance, allowing room for the delights of Christmas lights, brightly wrapped gifts, over the top sweets, loudly sung carols, Santa sightings, and gatherings with family and friends.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9: 2, 6
A Blessed Advent and Very Merry Christmas To you,
Pastor Laura <><
Our 4 year-old Grandson Josef knows how to ask, “Alexa, what time is it?” And Alexa will mysteriously respond with the time as she can with the weather and nearly anything else you could think to ask. With Thanksgiving behind us, were we asked, “Friend, what time is it?” How would we respond? I know I would be tempted to say that it is time to Christmas shop, write cards, get a tree, finish craft projects, plan parties, and bake cookies. It is time to print out my special month of December calendar so that I might have a chance of “getting things done”! You know where I am going with this… what time is it? Time to do at least some of what will feel uncomfortable, as we are faced with the crush of the season. It is time to wait, and intentional waiting calls for slowing down, not speeding up! Waiting tells us to let go, not take on more and more. Waiting says listen to the quiet. Waiting calls us to see the beauty all around us as well as the neediness. Waiting is far from idle, nor should it be seen as a waste of time when we could be getting so much done. Waiting, and the rest and reflection that it provides is one of the gifts of Advent. As we wait for the coming of Jesus in the manger, we wait hoping that he will come again soon. As we wait and journey toward the manger, the Christ Light glows brighter and brighter, as week-by-week we light one more candle. Jesus shines in our darkness, bringing Hope. Jesus calls us to join him in service, bringing Peace. Jesus’ Spirit is within and all around us bringing Joy. Jesus responds to the sinfulness of the world with his unconditional Love. I pray for you a blessed Advent with moments carved out for beauty, silence, and joyful anticipation. I pray that if you are waiting with a heavy heart that you will feel a blanket of comfort and peace holding you close to God’s heart. Finally I pray that your Advent waiting will find balance, allowing room for the delights of Christmas lights, brightly wrapped gifts, over the top sweets, loudly sung carols, Santa sightings, and gatherings with family and friends.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9: 2, 6
A Blessed Advent and Very Merry Christmas To you,
Pastor Laura <><
Pastor Laura <><Dear Friends, October 2019
“Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy.” Psalm 47:1
When was the last time you played, had fun? I mean really had FUN, as in letting loose, maybe being loud, making a mess, getting dirty, running, skipping, dancing, singing, laughing… until you cry, snort, and snot runs from your nose? Little children do it all the time! We do pretty well when we are spending time with kids. I have a blast playing with my grandson, Josef, dancing in the living room, running around the back yard playing soccer, playing basketball frequently missing the hoop of his four foot tall Little Tykes basketball goal. Joe loves being commentator, “Josef runs to the basket and he…. does not make the goal!” And he laughs and tries again and again. We dug in the dirt for treasure, the treasure being a worm and a few ants, but they were secret treasure to Joe. We set up a tent in the living room and pretended to be scared of the Grandpa monster growling outside.
Why can’t adults be silly, have fun, laugh at our selves? What gets lost and when did it happen? I still sometimes dance in my kitchen, all by myself. I have also gone out on the swing set, swinging high and enjoying the breeze on my face. Last Sunday the confirmands and I made prayer beads and hearts out of Sculpey clay. It was fun!
I have no doubt that a daily, or at least weekly dose, of play would do a great deal for our mental health. Might even make us more pleasant to be around J So what would be fun for you? Get out a jump rope or hula hoop? Make a mud pie, roll down a grassy slope, go barefoot, bake some cut out cookies, sing a silly song? Play cars, dolls, read a children’s book? Color, play with Playdough, watch a Disney movie? May you be blessed with child like joy, peace in your heart, and a smile on your face as you play. Let me know what you do!!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura <><
Dear friends, May 2019
Presbytery[1], Pres-by-tery, Prez-bə-ˌter-ē… Presby-what? You may have heard that your pastor goes to something called Albany Presbytery Meetings, taking with her an elder or two. You’ve either been to Presbytery meetings and are at least somewhat acquainted, or you think, “Well, I trust that something happens there that has something to do with HUPC, I’m glad Laura goes, and I don’t really need to be in the know.” A lot of your thoughts are accurate, I do go, something happens there, but I do want you to know what Presbytery is, what we do, and how you might be involved. Albany Presbytery is the regional governing body that currently includes, “about 60 congregations, four new worshiping communities, one new immigrant fellowship, hospital and college/university chaplains and ecumenical connections.”[2] Each church session sends its pastor and, depending upon the size of the congregation, up to three elder commissioners who have vote at the meeting. Since we have over 100 members, we are allowed two commissioners. Unless stated otherwise, meetings are open so YOU may attend the June 1st meeting which will be held here at HUPC, Saturday June 1st from 9:00-3:00!!
Albany Presbytery’s Mission: “Led by the Holy Spirit, Albany Presbytery encourages, challenges, and equips its members and congregations to thrive as disciples of Jesus Christ and to glorify God.” Presbytery’s Goals: “Congregational Vitality * Healthy Relationships * Missional Living” Presbytery “gathers together in Stated Meetings four-five times a year for education, fellowship, worship, parliamentary actions and discovering God’s preferred future together.”[3] Presbytery: serves and supports local congregations, in the search process, offers grants, consultation, helps to organize, merge, dismiss, dissolve or oversee churches when without a pastor.
-serves and supports clergy members, guides seminary students through the ordination process, ordains, receives, installs, dismisses, and disciplines. Presbytery offers educational opportunities for both clergy and laypeople. Presbytery gives to mission work at local, national, and global levels. Presbytery participates in meetings and deliberations of Synod (with other presbyteries we make up the Northeast Synod) and the General Assembly (National level governing body, meets every two years, made up of 173 presbyteries and 16 synods with representation from equal number of elected minister and elder delegates).[4]
Phew… that was exhausting! So what will we do on June 1st? We will begin with refreshments and three educational opportunities from 9:00-9:45: Christians in a Muslim-Majority Country, Presbytery Meetings 101, Staffing Model Task Force Update.
Gathering at 10:00, for the business meeting, we’ll hear reports from Presbytery committees, meet a candidate for ordination, share lunch, and worship together. At Presbytery meetings, we discuss, deliberate, agree and disagree. How fortunate we are to be part of this democracy, a denomination in which we have voice on decisions made at our local churches, and through our ministers and elder commissioners, at Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.
Come and see what it’s all about, there are often opportunities to serve on committees; just ask Don Campbell, Kay Russell, or me! Albany Presbytery stood by our side in years past, guided me through my seminary years and ordination process (thank you Don Campbell), approved me as your installed pastor after serving as interim, provided HUPC with assistance in our vision process, and provided grant monies for our community playground! Presbytery worked closely with East and West Hebron in our discernment process to become one and I, for one, am so very grateful to the men and women who make up the Albany Presbytery. I hope some of your burning questions about Presbytery have been answered, making you thirst for the opportunity
“From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work!”
Ephesians 4:16
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura <><
[1] Presbytery: Greek presbyterion, from presbyteros- “an elder” A Presbytery is a body of ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian system.
[2] https://albanypresbytery.org/who-we-are/
[3] https://albanypresbytery.org/resources/presbytery-meeting/
[4] https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/howitworks.pdf
Presbytery[1], Pres-by-tery, Prez-bə-ˌter-ē… Presby-what? You may have heard that your pastor goes to something called Albany Presbytery Meetings, taking with her an elder or two. You’ve either been to Presbytery meetings and are at least somewhat acquainted, or you think, “Well, I trust that something happens there that has something to do with HUPC, I’m glad Laura goes, and I don’t really need to be in the know.” A lot of your thoughts are accurate, I do go, something happens there, but I do want you to know what Presbytery is, what we do, and how you might be involved. Albany Presbytery is the regional governing body that currently includes, “about 60 congregations, four new worshiping communities, one new immigrant fellowship, hospital and college/university chaplains and ecumenical connections.”[2] Each church session sends its pastor and, depending upon the size of the congregation, up to three elder commissioners who have vote at the meeting. Since we have over 100 members, we are allowed two commissioners. Unless stated otherwise, meetings are open so YOU may attend the June 1st meeting which will be held here at HUPC, Saturday June 1st from 9:00-3:00!!
Albany Presbytery’s Mission: “Led by the Holy Spirit, Albany Presbytery encourages, challenges, and equips its members and congregations to thrive as disciples of Jesus Christ and to glorify God.” Presbytery’s Goals: “Congregational Vitality * Healthy Relationships * Missional Living” Presbytery “gathers together in Stated Meetings four-five times a year for education, fellowship, worship, parliamentary actions and discovering God’s preferred future together.”[3] Presbytery: serves and supports local congregations, in the search process, offers grants, consultation, helps to organize, merge, dismiss, dissolve or oversee churches when without a pastor.
-serves and supports clergy members, guides seminary students through the ordination process, ordains, receives, installs, dismisses, and disciplines. Presbytery offers educational opportunities for both clergy and laypeople. Presbytery gives to mission work at local, national, and global levels. Presbytery participates in meetings and deliberations of Synod (with other presbyteries we make up the Northeast Synod) and the General Assembly (National level governing body, meets every two years, made up of 173 presbyteries and 16 synods with representation from equal number of elected minister and elder delegates).[4]
Phew… that was exhausting! So what will we do on June 1st? We will begin with refreshments and three educational opportunities from 9:00-9:45: Christians in a Muslim-Majority Country, Presbytery Meetings 101, Staffing Model Task Force Update.
Gathering at 10:00, for the business meeting, we’ll hear reports from Presbytery committees, meet a candidate for ordination, share lunch, and worship together. At Presbytery meetings, we discuss, deliberate, agree and disagree. How fortunate we are to be part of this democracy, a denomination in which we have voice on decisions made at our local churches, and through our ministers and elder commissioners, at Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.
Come and see what it’s all about, there are often opportunities to serve on committees; just ask Don Campbell, Kay Russell, or me! Albany Presbytery stood by our side in years past, guided me through my seminary years and ordination process (thank you Don Campbell), approved me as your installed pastor after serving as interim, provided HUPC with assistance in our vision process, and provided grant monies for our community playground! Presbytery worked closely with East and West Hebron in our discernment process to become one and I, for one, am so very grateful to the men and women who make up the Albany Presbytery. I hope some of your burning questions about Presbytery have been answered, making you thirst for the opportunity
“From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work!”
Ephesians 4:16
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura <><
[1] Presbytery: Greek presbyterion, from presbyteros- “an elder” A Presbytery is a body of ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian system.
[2] https://albanypresbytery.org/who-we-are/
[3] https://albanypresbytery.org/resources/presbytery-meeting/
[4] https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/howitworks.pdf
Dear friends, November/December 2018!
“Come ye thankful people come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.”
So begins the well-known Thanksgiving hymn written by Anglican priest, Rev. Henry Alford, in 1844. The hymn’s message reflects the common element and importance of harvest in the lives of Alford’s contemporaries. Winter would soon be upon them and a quick trip to the grocery store was not an option for 19th century rural living. Dependent upon their own hard work, they prayed for a good harvest, an abundance of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and meats to be preserved, “put up” and stored for winter meals in their cellars. The festival of Harvest Home began as a pagan tradition, but was assimilated into Christian tradition, as a service of thanksgiving to God for the harvest, with hymns, prayers, and decorating of the church. Congregants brought a measure of the bounty from their harvest to the celebration, for display and then distribution to those in need.
HUPC continues the Harvest Home traditions through our November Harvest Table food collection for our local food pantry, the Salem ecumenical Thanksgiving Service*, and our own Thanksgiving celebrations at home. But we do this with a very different mindset. Though we surely pray abundance for our local farmers, few of us depend upon our own gardens or worry that cupboards will become bare as the winter months press on. Rarely are we so affected by winter storms that we are unable to make the drive to Hannaford to restock the pantry.
So why does the old hymn “Come Ye Thankful People Come” still speak to our hearts? Maybe because, in spite of sorrow, disappointment, frustration, division, and the ever darkening days of winter, we trust that through it all we are forever “safely gathered in” by our loving God. Maybe because even as storms blow all around, hope and gratitude prevail, for very soon… we will be “safely gathered in” around a manger bed where Mary laid her newborn son, Jesus… the one who is all we need, our Prince of Peace, Comforter, Light of the World, Hope of the Nations!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
As 2018 comes to a close, I pray we will gather together in thanksgiving with gifts to share! I pray our hearts will believe the loving embrace of God in the manger is for us! I pray our hearts and voices will be able to join choruses of hope, thanksgiving, and glory to God!
With gratitude and love,
Pastor Laura <><
“Come ye thankful people come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.”
So begins the well-known Thanksgiving hymn written by Anglican priest, Rev. Henry Alford, in 1844. The hymn’s message reflects the common element and importance of harvest in the lives of Alford’s contemporaries. Winter would soon be upon them and a quick trip to the grocery store was not an option for 19th century rural living. Dependent upon their own hard work, they prayed for a good harvest, an abundance of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and meats to be preserved, “put up” and stored for winter meals in their cellars. The festival of Harvest Home began as a pagan tradition, but was assimilated into Christian tradition, as a service of thanksgiving to God for the harvest, with hymns, prayers, and decorating of the church. Congregants brought a measure of the bounty from their harvest to the celebration, for display and then distribution to those in need.
HUPC continues the Harvest Home traditions through our November Harvest Table food collection for our local food pantry, the Salem ecumenical Thanksgiving Service*, and our own Thanksgiving celebrations at home. But we do this with a very different mindset. Though we surely pray abundance for our local farmers, few of us depend upon our own gardens or worry that cupboards will become bare as the winter months press on. Rarely are we so affected by winter storms that we are unable to make the drive to Hannaford to restock the pantry.
So why does the old hymn “Come Ye Thankful People Come” still speak to our hearts? Maybe because, in spite of sorrow, disappointment, frustration, division, and the ever darkening days of winter, we trust that through it all we are forever “safely gathered in” by our loving God. Maybe because even as storms blow all around, hope and gratitude prevail, for very soon… we will be “safely gathered in” around a manger bed where Mary laid her newborn son, Jesus… the one who is all we need, our Prince of Peace, Comforter, Light of the World, Hope of the Nations!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
As 2018 comes to a close, I pray we will gather together in thanksgiving with gifts to share! I pray our hearts will believe the loving embrace of God in the manger is for us! I pray our hearts and voices will be able to join choruses of hope, thanksgiving, and glory to God!
With gratitude and love,
Pastor Laura <><
