On Sunday, following our worship service, I was able to join the Coffee Hour for a couple of brief conversations before scurrying off to an afternoon commitment to deliver a homily at the Potomac Association of African American Women in Ministry’s end-of-summer convening. There was food, fellowship, prayer, music and laughter. We enjoyed an anointed woman, Ginger Glasser, who was quite the saxophonist of spiritual melodies and instrumentals. To my utter surprise, several of the guests requested to purchase my books, to my pleasant surprise. Always ready, Rev. Darryl! Moch, Pastor of UCC of Fredericksburg, handled my sales while I signed and accepted the spontaneous help. Rev. Darryl! had come as a “plus-one” to the clergy women’s event, lending a hand wherever needed.
Though I was invited to bring an afternoon inspirational message, I was pleasantly exhausted from our beautiful first worship service together. Last Sunday, with the affirming musical messages within the GCC Choir’s version of the anthem, “One Church, One Faith” by K. Getty; arranged by L. Shackley, under the direction of Dr. Wei-Der Huang, we were deeply encouraged. The readings were read with passion and care by Rick Ransom and Tina Alston, and the children, Oliver, Isaac and Will, were a delight deciding what was appropriate to share in church…or NOT. We had a high time and I was spent!
Hoping to find some inspiration for an afternoon message where the invitation had come only hours before the event, I found myself reflecting upon this week’s lectionary reading from Luke 16: 31. A paraphrase of the reading says “Abraham said, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” What can I share with a roomful of bold, seasoned clergywomen who are tempered by making the very best of every situation? I felt my anguish subside as Spirit imparted that “Inspiration” is an inside job for the faithful. If we can’t find something to grab on to with “Moses and the prophets” (the Old Testament) and/or “someone who rising from the dead” (the Resurrection), there is little left to say.
I am so looking forward to being with each of you, this Sunday, when I will preach about “The Great Chasm Between Comfort and Agony” based on Luke 16:26.
Our GCC Choir will be offering the anthem, “In Moments of Quiet” by J. Martin and V. Johnson and leading us in congregational songs, including the African American Traditional “Guide My Feet”. We welcome Louise Piper as Lay Reader.
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