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February 8, 2006

From Charity to Justice

Bono, of U2 fame, delivered this personal reflection on February 2 at this year's National Prayer Breakfast. In 2004, Beloved contributed $3,843 for AIDS relief in the diocese of Mpwapwa, Tanzania through its Giving to Christ at Christmas campaign. The Servant Member Community has been asked to designate 1% of our 2005 basket-offering tithe ($1,730) to further support ongoing AIDs relief work among the children and adults of Tanzania. Follow the link for his complete remarks; these words are well worth the read. J. Derek Harbin, priest

If you're wondering what I'm doing here, at a prayer breakfast, well, so am I. I'm certainly not here as a man of the cloth, unless that cloth is leather. It's certainly not because I'm a rock star. Which leaves one possible explanation: I'm here because I've got a messianic complex. Yes, it's true. And for anyone who knows me, it's hardly a revelation. Well, I'm the first to admit that there's something unnatural, something unseemly, about rock stars mounting the pulpit and preaching at presidents, and then disappearing to their villas in the south of France. Talk about a fish out of water. It was weird enough when Jesse Helms showed up at a U2 concert...but this is really weird, isn't it? You know, one of the things I love about this country is its separation of church and state. Although I have to say in inviting me here, both church and state have been separated from something else completely: their mind. Mr. President, are you sure about this? It's very humbling and I will try to keep my homily brief. But be warned - I'm Irish.

I'd like to talk about the laws of man, here in this city where those laws are written. And I'd like to talk about higher laws. It would be great to assume that the one serves the other; that the laws of man serve these higher laws...but of course, they don't always. And I presume that, in a sense, is why you're here.

I presume the reason for this gathering is that all of us here - Muslims, Jews, Christians - all are searching our souls for how to better serve our family, our community, our nation, our God. I know I am. Searching, I mean. And that, I suppose, is what led me here, too. Yes, it's odd, having a rock star here. But maybe it's odder for me than for you.

You see, I avoided religious people most of my life. Maybe it had something to do with having a father who was Protestant and a mother who was Catholic in a country where the line between the two was, quite literally, a battle line. Where the line between church and state was...well, a little blurry, and hard to see. I remember how my mother would bring us to chapel on Sundays and my father used to wait outside. One of the things that I picked up from my father and my mother was the sense that religion often gets in the way of God. For me, at least, it got in the way. Seeing what religious people, in the name of God, did to my native land and in this country, seeing God's second-hand car salesmen on the cable TV channels, offering indulgences for cash...in fact, all over the world, seeing the self-righteousness roll down like a mighty stream from certain corners of the religious establishment. I must confess; I changed the channel. I wanted my MTV. Even though I was a believer...perhaps because I was a believer.

I was cynical. Not about God, but about God's politics. Then, in 1997, a couple of eccentric, septuagenarian British Christians went and ruined my shtick-my reproachfulness...

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Around Beloved...On Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, Beloved participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring, a national youth effort to collect $1 for every person in worship on Super Bowl Sunday to be given to local food banks around the nation. Beloved's contribution will be given directly to Charlotte's Second Harvest Food Bank; as of this eNews, over $2.5 million has been contributed nationwide...Sunday Christian Formation for adults and children continues this Sunday...Beloved's Worker Bees (youth 9-12) and metamorphosis (youth 12-15) each have a Movie Night coming up next week; the younger group on Friday (2/17) and the older group on Saturday (2/18) beginning at 6:30pm at Beloved Garden. Don't forget to bring $3 and a friend...Join our pastor and priest as they attend Preparation for Life or Teaching to the Test?, a presentation for parents of school-aged children on Friday February 17, 7:30pm at the Westin Hotel in uptown Charlotte. Speaking will be Lynn Lawrence, Director of Training and Schools at the Maria Montessori Institute in the United Kingdom. Refreshments will be served; $10 per person or $15 per couple. Advance tickets can be purchased through Beloved Garden through February 10^th.

Book of the Month...Books and CDs purchased through Beloved's new associates link to amazon.com will directly support the ministry of Church of the Beloved. Read Director of Music Dan Hood's review of Donald Miller's book, Searching for God Knows What. In Dan's words, "I have seen and experienced the beauty of salvation, the difficulty of ministry, and the loneliness of the human soul apart from Jesus. One way that I connect to God is through reading, hence the desire to share with you some of the books that move and inspire me." For Dan's review, or to go the Beloved's amazon.com associates link, click here.

A Spiritual and Physical house cleaning...Beginning in March, our focus as a congregation shifts to a time of spiritual preparation and "house cleaning" as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. Two weeks of this season, from Sunday, March 5 - Saturday March 18, we have a wonderful opportunity to transform spring-cleaning into a spiritual exercise as we pray and meditate while we clear out the physical clutter in our lives. Want to learn more? Click here.

Music Notes...Last Sunday, Beloved recognized and gave thanks for Shana Blake, who has served as Beloved's incredible lead vocalist for the last five years. You go, girl! Five more and counting...Keith Hicks has stepped down as guitarist due to scheduling conflicts but offers his gratitude for Beloved's support and care...Those wonderful keyboard tones the band has added in recent weeks come from the talented fingers of Brad Link. Welcome, Brad!...Since 2002, Anne Schmidt has blessed Beloved with her leadership, vocal talents and dedication to the band as an unpaid servant. Anne's last regular Sunday with the band is this week before her family's move to the Dallas area. (She knows that the door is always open for a visiting gig!) Well done, good and faithful servant; we know it won't take long for you to introduce Sting and Sheryl Crow into Texas worship...Beloved's longest-serving band member, Scotti Montagnino, has resigned as Beloved's drummer. He writes, "it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to give up my position as drummer for this band. Working late on Saturday nights has just become too much and I cannot physically (play on Sunday mornings) anymore. It has been an incredible run and I appreciate everything the church and the congregation has done for me. You guys are wonderful musicians and church leaders and I will miss all of you." As we said when we recognized Scotti's five years of service last fall, his passion for this congregation beyond drumming is truly a gift to all of us. What a blessing it will be to have Scotti continue to worship with the Beloved community when he is not out of town on a gig...And last, but certainly not least, a familiar face becomes a regular part of the band. We are so blessed to have Chris Allen as our talented new drummer. Welcome, Chris!

Serving at God's Altar this Sunday at Beloved...Acolytes: Caleb Friend, Thomas Friend, Austin Yearwood, Nicole Yearwood; Reader: Joseph Nichols; Presenters: Michele, Joseph & Elizabeth Nichols; Eucharistic Ministers: Franklin Reid & Wes Nichols; Offertory Basket Passers: Madison Haarstick, Clare Harbin, Caroline Schmidt, J.R. West; PowerPoint: Miles Harbin.

In our Prayers...for Howard Stephenson and Janie Lownes, who are recuperating from hospital stays...for the Atwoods who are overseas...for those serving in Iraq, especially Tom Friend and Scott, Dan Hood's brother...for Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter, Emily, whose health is deteriorating...for Deacon Deb during her respite month of leave from Beloved to allow her health to improve...for Marilyn Doyon and Marie Duty who are expecting babies this upcoming year...for Jessie Powell who struggles with back pain...for Dorothy, Mary Reid's sister who is fighting lung cancer...for Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...for Richard, Ginger Leppert's father, who is recovering from surgery...for Bill, Lee Frickhoeffer's uncle who has terminal cancer...for Lauren Skrobot as she undergoes medical testing...for Tricia, Linda Mellon's niece who was killed in a biking accident. Pray also for Linda's brother, Bob, and his wife Patty; for Tricia's children: BJ, Bobby, Andy and Tony; and for the driver of the car that struck her. Rest eternal grant to Tricia and let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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