My husband Steve and I thank you sincerely for your many prayers and messages of support during our time of mourning over the loss of Steve's mother, Emily. We also thank you joyfully for the beautiful and wonderful herb basket y'all sent us. How well you know us!
Our trip to Texas was long and tiring, but totally worth it. The memorial service was lovely and drew many positive comments from those present. Episcopal liturgies are truly amazing and people often respond with amazement at their depth and beauty. Emily would have loved it. Her friends and care-givers sure did.
We stayed with Steve's brother, Jack, and his family. This is the brother who suffered a massive stroke 1.5 years ago. His progress is slow but so very encouraging. Jack lights up each time his little brother, Steve, comes into view. I prayed over Jack, along with another healing friend of his, and Jack responded with kisses and hugs of gratitude. He is aware and responsive, and his body is beginning to unlock from its paralysis. Thanks be to God! Being with the Jack Sherer branch of our family tree was healing, fun, and life-giving for Steve and me.
You love and prayers mean so much to us. Thank you for sharing them so generously. We love you and keep you all in our prayers as well.
Gratefully yours,
Valori+
Showing posts with label Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Notes. Show all posts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mother Valori's August article for The Shelby Star: The kind of Church we are
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
During a recent phone conversation, I was asked a question that got me thinking. “What kind of church are you running there?” the frustrated caller asked. The context of the conversation was my advocacy for a poor family being treated with disrespect and in violation of the summary of the law Jesus gave as well as the laws governing landlords in North Carolina.
Having worked as an advocate for the poor and homeless for decades now, I still find myself surprised by the amount of depersonalization I confront. The “poor” are made into an idea, a concept. Then “they” can be dismissed or blamed or condemned for the trouble they represent.
In this economy, however, our comfortable definitions of the “poor” are being disrupted. If there is redemption to be found in the current economic reality, this might be part of it. Suddenly people who have always been able to provide for themselves (and judged those who could not) are finding themselves on food assistance lines, facing foreclosure and sudden job displacement. They are experiencing what it feels like to be exiled to the fringes of society where dignity and identity are lost. They are no longer who they were. Now, they are “them” – the poor.
All of us who witness this process are forced to remember that the poor aren’t a concept, they are people: mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers. These are the least who are members of our family.
While advocating for the above-mentioned family, I visited two homes they were trying to rent. In one house, the floor in one room was covered in dead bats, the back porch infested with rats, the main power line to the house broken by a tree branch that still lay against the house. In the second home, the kitchen and bathroom had electrical wires stretching across the sinks and raw sewage leaking up into the porch behind the kitchen. My heart broke.
I contacted the landlords who have begun responding to these issues, but the question for me remains: why would anyone think that it is okay to let a family move into a home like that in the first place? Why should there be a need for advocacy?
The answer is: because humans sin and systems get used to exploiting the poor and powerless who have ceased to be people to them. It’s always been that way. Jesus confronted the exploitive systems of his time during his earthly ministry, then gave to us, his followers, the command to do likewise. Remembering how the systems responded makes this command a bit fearful, so we focus instead on the bigger picture, the final outcome – the resurrection (heaven’s response) that followed the crucifixion (earth’s response).
The exploiters and the exploited are beloved children of God. Our goal as Christians is reconciliation. So to answer this person’s question, “What kind of church are you running there?” I would say: “A Christian church – one that advocates for the poor and defends the dignity of the least who are members of God’s family.”
During a recent phone conversation, I was asked a question that got me thinking. “What kind of church are you running there?” the frustrated caller asked. The context of the conversation was my advocacy for a poor family being treated with disrespect and in violation of the summary of the law Jesus gave as well as the laws governing landlords in North Carolina.
Having worked as an advocate for the poor and homeless for decades now, I still find myself surprised by the amount of depersonalization I confront. The “poor” are made into an idea, a concept. Then “they” can be dismissed or blamed or condemned for the trouble they represent.
In this economy, however, our comfortable definitions of the “poor” are being disrupted. If there is redemption to be found in the current economic reality, this might be part of it. Suddenly people who have always been able to provide for themselves (and judged those who could not) are finding themselves on food assistance lines, facing foreclosure and sudden job displacement. They are experiencing what it feels like to be exiled to the fringes of society where dignity and identity are lost. They are no longer who they were. Now, they are “them” – the poor.
All of us who witness this process are forced to remember that the poor aren’t a concept, they are people: mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers. These are the least who are members of our family.
While advocating for the above-mentioned family, I visited two homes they were trying to rent. In one house, the floor in one room was covered in dead bats, the back porch infested with rats, the main power line to the house broken by a tree branch that still lay against the house. In the second home, the kitchen and bathroom had electrical wires stretching across the sinks and raw sewage leaking up into the porch behind the kitchen. My heart broke.
I contacted the landlords who have begun responding to these issues, but the question for me remains: why would anyone think that it is okay to let a family move into a home like that in the first place? Why should there be a need for advocacy?
The answer is: because humans sin and systems get used to exploiting the poor and powerless who have ceased to be people to them. It’s always been that way. Jesus confronted the exploitive systems of his time during his earthly ministry, then gave to us, his followers, the command to do likewise. Remembering how the systems responded makes this command a bit fearful, so we focus instead on the bigger picture, the final outcome – the resurrection (heaven’s response) that followed the crucifixion (earth’s response).
The exploiters and the exploited are beloved children of God. Our goal as Christians is reconciliation. So to answer this person’s question, “What kind of church are you running there?” I would say: “A Christian church – one that advocates for the poor and defends the dignity of the least who are members of God’s family.”
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Pentecost 8-C: July 18, 2010
Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-10a, Psalm 15, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42
Today's sermon was exptemporaneous, so there is no text to share. I may (if I can find the time) write something from the notes I used. We talked about Mary and Martha as the icons of discipleship, each representing one of the two parts of discipleship - both necessary, neither more/less important: Mary, who sat at the feet of the Master, as the breating in of God's grace, Martha, who lived out her ministry of hospitality, as the breathing out of God's grace into the world in mission and ministry. Lots more, but maybe I can write more on it later.
Last week, our Deacon Pam gave the homily. I'll see if I can get her text to post here too.
Meantime: See our announcements on our website: www.redeemershelby.com - especially the one about VBS!!!
Today's sermon was exptemporaneous, so there is no text to share. I may (if I can find the time) write something from the notes I used. We talked about Mary and Martha as the icons of discipleship, each representing one of the two parts of discipleship - both necessary, neither more/less important: Mary, who sat at the feet of the Master, as the breating in of God's grace, Martha, who lived out her ministry of hospitality, as the breathing out of God's grace into the world in mission and ministry. Lots more, but maybe I can write more on it later.
Last week, our Deacon Pam gave the homily. I'll see if I can get her text to post here too.
Meantime: See our announcements on our website: www.redeemershelby.com - especially the one about VBS!!!
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