From the Pastor - "Speaking in Parables" March 2016

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

I was captivated by the story of Noah’s ark as a teenager.  I have always loved animals, and I treasured the idea that God made a way to save the animals as well as the humans.  I was disturbed by the widespread death caused by the flood.  I wondered how a forgiving God could drown all those people.

As a teenager, I reasoned that the story in Genesis 6-10 was not describing historical facts (something that actually happened), but religious truths (something about the nature of God, the human condition, and the fate of the world). 

For me, the story has become an affirmation that God the Creator loves the whole creation and despises violence within the world.  The ark is an image of unconditional grace and universal salvation; the rainbow a sign of God’s promise to preserve life. 

What is your favorite Bible story?  What does it tell you about God or the human condition?

One way of doing theological reflection is called “speaking in parables.”¹  Jesus told many stories about God’s healing power and liberating purpose.  The gospel writers constructed their narratives of Jesus with the same purpose in mind.  Their tales of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provide us with narratives of healing and hope. 

Throughout the ages, Christians have been sharing stories of God’s presence in their lives. 

How has God been at work in your life through Trinity Church?  You may recall a recent experience or something that happened over the years. 

Furthermore, into what kind of future do you see God leading us as a congregation?  What does it look like to you? 

Trinity’s strategic planning team wants to hear and collect your stories of Trinity, as well as your hopes for the future.  Sharing your Trinity stories is a vital part of discerning our direction for the future. 

We can gain insights, encouragement, and hope from telling our stories.  From our ordinary experiences, we can encounter God.  If we are open to the possibility of God’s presence in our lives, then we are more likely to construct the story of our lives in light of that presence.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Brian C. Smith

_________

¹ Elaine Graham, Heather Walton, and Frances Ward. Theological Reflection: Methods. London: SCM, 2005.  47-77.