October Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends,
As we end the month of September and begin the month of October, we see the green leaves turning yellow and orange and red, we feel the cooler temperatures, and we know that change is in the air. Some people I have talked with this week say they love the season of fall; others dislike it because they know it means that winter is coming. The change of seasons in Pennsylvania is a given; in life, change is a given, whether we like it or not. It is a fact of life.
A friend shared a poem that speaks of these things. It is written by poet Pádraig Ó Tuama from northern Ireland:
“The Facts of Life”
That you were born
and you will die.
That you will sometimes love enough
and sometimes not.
That you will lie
if only to yourself.
That you will get tired.
That you will learn most from the situations
you did not choose.
That there will be some things that move you
more than you can say.
That you will live
that you must be loved.
That you will avoid questions most urgently in need of
your attention.
That you began as the fusion of a sperm and an egg
of two people who once were strangers
and may well still be.
That life isn’t fair.
That life is sometimes good
and sometimes even better than good.
That life is often not so good.
That life is real
and if you can survive it, well,
survive it well
with love
and art
and meaning given
where meaning’s scarce.
That you will learn to live with regret.
That you will learn to live with respect.
That the structures that constrict you
may not be permanently constricting.
That you will probably be okay.
That you must accept change
before you die
but you will die anyway.
So you might as well live
and you might as well love.
You might as well love.
You might as well love.
This poem speaks honestly about changing and learning, living and losing, and loving. It speaks truth into our broken and God’s beloved world. It reminds us that life is made up of hard and holy days, and that through it all, we are invited to love.
As I write this, I am watching the shocking pictures of the devastation left by Hurricane Ian. Houses, boats, businesses, and human life were lost. Hurricanes are a fact of life, made worse by climate change. A hard fact of life that leaves us speechless and for some, faithless.
This is the world in which Jesus came to teach us how to live and love, how to keep faith and hope alive, and to shine his light into all the days of our lives. In the midst of hard times, it is helpful to remember that in addition to the facts of life, God gives us other facts:
“The facts of the gospel of Jesus Christ”
The Word became flesh and lived among us,
full of grace and truth.
For God so loved the world,
he gave his only son.
Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary
and carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
Jesus is the light of the world,
a light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus said,
“Love God with all your heart,
soul, mind, and strength.
And love your neighbor as yourself.”
And he also said,
“love your enemies and pray for them.”
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.
I know my own and my own know me.
I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Jesus said to the thief on the cross,
“Truly I tell you, today,
you will be with me in Paradise.”
The angels at the tomb said,
“Jesus is not here. He is risen!”
Jesus said,
“Do not be afraid.”
Jesus said,
“Go, make disciples of all nations….
and remember I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
With faith, hope, and love for the living of these days together,
Pastor Donna