From the Pastor - "Shape" May 2015

Dear Friends in Christ,

What is the church?  The church may be considered in terms of its location (the people gathered in Jesus’ name in a particular place, as well as every time and place); its nature (sinner and saint); and its redemption (liberation).  According to Everist and Nessan in Transforming Leadership, the church may also be described in terms of its shape.

Feminist theologian Letty Russell has described the church “in the round” as a community that seeks to include people on the margins of the church and society in a partnership.  She uses the image of a round table where everyone is seated face-to-face as equals. 

A church “in the round” is a household of freedom, a community that embraces God’s welcome for all and works for justice with the oppressed.  

In order to do this, the church must make transformative connections.  At the Lord’s Table, we pray: “Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.”  The goal is to connect people with Christ and to help them find a place at the table, whether it is the Lord’s Table, the Council table, or the serving table. 

This task requires special attention for people who are marginalized who may not feel included or who find barriers to the table.  Letty Russell speaks of “loving people into roundedness” by learning from one another.  Perhaps the shape of the table needs to be changed in order to fully welcome new people and receive their unique gifts. 

(1)  What is the shape of Trinity Church?  Who is still not at the table? 

(2)  What might need to be rearranged in order to accommodate people from the margins, so that Trinity Church is “well-rounded”? 

The Great Potter shapes each person in the Divine Image and calls us into a vital partnership with one another.  That’s church.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Smith