A Stolen Bible or a Reminder of our Mission?

It was a quiet Saturday morning—August 16--when I set out for the church. The sky was clear and the already warming temperature held the promise of an unusually hot day for the Seattle area. Lot’s of things were happening. All day Friday the Arts of Kenmore had accepted entries for the Kenmore Art Show which would take place at Northlake starting on August 23—the 10th year of the event! Preparations for the Fall—and the beginning of Sunday School, Choir, Bible Studies, Pioneer Clubs, Adult Forums, and so much more—loomed on the horizon. And, on that Saturday morning the family and friends of Sue Clifton would be gathering at Northlake to both remember and celebrate her life.

But this particular Saturday would be anything but a normal day in the life and ministry of Northlake. Around 8:30 that morning two members who had come to the Church early discovered that someone had broken into the Church. And, although, thankfully, damage was isolated to a lot of broken glass, several things were stolen—including several pieces which had been entered in the Art Show. Of course, computers and DVD/VHS players, briefcases and tote bags, CDs and other miscellaneous items can be replaced, but some things cannot. For tucked away in my soft-sided briefcase, which also was stolen, was a very special Bible that I have been using for the mission and outreach work that I do in the community.

As I sit to write this piece for the September 2008 newsletter, I find myself torn between feelings of joy for our ministry and a sense of loss—of being violated. The eager anticipation of the coming Fall is being blurred with feelings of disappointment and questions of why. Yet, at the same time I find myself deeply challenged by the Hope that the words of Scripture offer, and the stark reality we face in our broken world. Specifically, I refer to the tension that may arise for some in knowing that, on the one hand our Church has become the victim of a crime, while on the other, on Saturday, October 11 up to ten people from Northlake will have the unique opportunity to go to the Washington Correctional Center in Shelton to join with the inmates/members of Living Stones Prison Congregation in Worship. Indeed, on Sunday, September 28, Rev. Eric Wangen-Hoch, the Mission-Developer Pastor for the Living Stones Prison Congregation, will be at Northlake to share more information about this vital and important ministry to those who are incarcerated—some of whom may have once been involved in crimes like the one which we have just experienced.
The irony of this turn of fate is that we are being called to examine and explore, discuss and consider yet again what it means to be the Church, the body of Christ, in the world—and to fully experience Jesus’ call to “Love one another as God first loved us,” even those who would do us wrong. As Jesus said, “I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6: 27-28. Of course, this does not mean that we roll over and accept the crimes committed against us and our congregation. But, at the same time we must always remember that, if we let such a crime detour our ministry or alter our resolve to be an open and welcoming house of worship and prayer, then we will always be victims, imprisoned by our anger and/or our fears—thus becoming just another crime statistic for which there is no resolution or remedy.

The alternative is to do what Jesus did—to respond boldly, trusting in the power of God’s Grace to guide us, even through the darkest valleys of life, fully knowing that sometimes God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). But, as Jesus showed us again and again, although we may come to the Table of the Lord as strangers—and even enemies at times—we cannot walk away from the Lord’s Table as though nothing happened. As one of my seminary professors put it, “we may come to the Lord’s Table as strangers, but we leave reminded that we are all children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ,” even when the Lord’s Supper is celebrated in a prison—including the Washington Correctional Center or any other kind of prison that may entrap us with feelings of anger or fear.

In some ways one might say that my Bible, the Word of God that has blessed my life, was not stolen from me but rather made alive for me by its absence, reminding me of what is of ultimate concern for us as a Church--and certainly, a laptop computer is not what is most important! What is most important for us as a Church is trusting and believing, knowing and sharing the presence of God and the Love of Christ with all people! For this is the only thing that can ever truly transform lives and free us from the brokenness of our world and ourselves! It is the only thing that can shatter the chains that sometimes bind us!

This Fall I invite you to join with me and others in opening the Bible and experiencing it coming to life in all new ways as we gather as a people to read and share in the words of Promise that it reveals. On Sunday, September 14, we will begin with a study of the Gospel according to Mark. On September 16 our Tuesday afternoon Adult Forum/Study starts with a four-part series on Dietrich Bonheoffer. And, on Wednesday evening, September 17, a new Bible Study/Adult Forum begins with an exploration of how we live out our Faith in Daily Life! Come join us, and bring a friend!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Marvin