Send Us!

5th February, 2010 - Posted by nwilsonadmin - 1 Comment

Sermon at ICM Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

“SEND US!”

February 7, 2010

Rev. Nancy Wilson

Isaiah 6: 1-8

Luke 5: 1-11

It is such a joy to be here with you at ICM Santo Domingo. You are the only MCC in the Dominican Republic, and the only one now on the Island of Hispanola. But, you are just the first, and, you are so very important to us in MCC. I am so deeply impressed with your congregation, your leadership, your passion for the inclusive gospel of MCC.

I bring you greetings from your sisters and brothers from around the world in MCC, some, who are newer congregations, just beginning in their country; and, other MCC’s established for a long time, and still growing in love and grace. I bring you special greetings today from your Elder, Rev. Darlene Garner, who also longs to visit you in person! Greetings today as well from Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman, and the MCC Youth Ministry who love you and pray for you.

I am so proud of your pastor, Rev. Tania Guzman, for her visionary and faithful leadership, and for Deacon Wilkin. I know that they have made an enormous difference in this community.

The gospel reading today is a familiar one. Jesus and the fisherman. Luke’s gospel is the story of ordinary people who said Yes to God and to the mission of the church, to heal and reconcile, to bring love and justice to all the world.

This story takes place, very early in Jesus’ ministry, as he calls his followers. He is preaching to a crowd who were so hungry and thirsty for truth, and healing and bread, that they nearly push Jesus into the sea!

Jesus sees two boats, not being used, and climbs into one, and they push out a little, so he can safely address the crowds without being mobbed by them.

MCC’s global mission is to “tear down walls an build up hope!” We might think of that mission, which is Jesus mission today,  in two parts.

The first part is to provide safe space all over the world, for lgbt people, our families, friends, allies, and those who need an inclusive gospel. Safe space to  worship, to meet and become community, familia. So many of us long for a spiritual home, a safe space to be ourselves, and to feel the presence and healing touch of God.  Today, we have brothers and sisters who have no safe space to meet for worship, or to organize. Some who have no safe place to live, with a partner or family, who face threats of violence on a daily basis. Many who still believe that God condemns them for being who they are.

When Rev. Troy Perry started MCC, he did not mean to start a denomination, a spiritual or civil rights movement. He just needed a safe place to have church!   I cannot tell you how much hunger there still is for this safe space, in the United States and in so many places in the world, including  many places where there is no MCC church yet. For that safe space, Troy Perry risked and opened his home, his heart, and his life.

Last year, our Global Justice Team members when to Beijing, China, where they spoke about MCC on the radio to more than 10 million people. Just a few weeks ago, we heard about a new MCC forming in Bolivia. People on the island of Malta are inquiring about affiliating with MCC.  LGBT Muslims are asking our help so they can practice their own faith openly and with dignity.

We need safe space to heal from the internalized homophobia and transphobia; to heal our ideas about God and community; to strengthen our spirits, minds and bodies. To accept ourselves and each other, and our sexuality, as a good gift from God.

But, just creating safe space is only half of the mission.

When Jesus taught that day, on the lake of Gennesaret, he called people to not only heal, but to follow him. That is the second part of the mission.

After the teaching that day, he told the fishermen to “put out into deep waters.” He challenged them to take a risk, to try to fish again, after they were exhausted from a whole night of fishing, and not catching one fish!

Can you relate to that? Sometimes, we work and work, and get no results. Then, the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something that sounds strange, even ridiculous, perhaps. And, amazingly, it works!

Reluctantly, these first disciples followed Jesus’ instructions. When the huge catch of fish became evident, first they were frightened, and then, they said Yes to One who would change their lives forever.

Jesus knows that sometimes we want to just be comfortable and safe. We want to hear his words, pray and sing. But, that is only the beginning. More than that Jesus wants us to move out into the deep waters of service to our communities, to fight for justice and hope, to change our countries, cultures. To show a different face of Jesus to a weary and skeptical community.

You have moved into a beautiful new space here in Santo Domingo. You have fought hard to be able to have such a facility.  But God did not call you here to stay inside this building, or only to invite people here.

God brought you, us, here to “send us”: to send us out to the streets, to the park, to everywhere our people are, and to go deeper in the work of justice and love.

Isaiah loved the house of God, and spent a lot of time hanging out there, and praying. When he had his famous vision, God did not call him to spend more time in the Temple. God called him to go to his people, who needed to hear and know and feel the presence of God! God called him to leave his comfortable place, and be willing to be sent forth.

Sometimes, in all MCC churches, we long to rest in our safe space. But, that space can only stay safe, if it we take the risk to leave it, and to be sent by God to the people who still do not know a safe place with God is possible.

Sometimes, MCC churches can become closets. But Jesus Christ calls us out of closets today, to be fearless and open-hearted to follow wherever the Spirit takes us.

I pray that this room, full of light and love, will never be a closet, but will be a place that God works to bring justice and peace in the midst of turmoil. There are people all over this city who need to know that you exist; people all over your country, and in your neighbor country of Haiti, so devastated and in need of so much.

All of us in MCC are cheering you on today, believing in the God who called you in the first place, that you will persevere in the message of hope and redemption. As you create safe space, and follow Jesus, we know that the Spirit of God will bless you and give you great success in fishing for those who are lost and hungry!

Hoy dia, nosotros decimos juntos, “Aqui estoy! Enviame a me!”

Amen!

1 Comment

maría cristina ruibal

February 6th, 2010 at 1:50 pm    

Dear Nancy:
Por los conflictos sufridos en nuestra Diaconía Cristiana en la Diversidad, de Montevideo, Uruguay, algunos del Pequeño Grupo que siguió celebrando nos hemos visto a renunciar a la membresía. Espero que tú y tus colegas hayan recibido nuestros mensajes. Pero el proyecto de ICM (MCC) nos sigue atrayendo, especialmente a mí, que tuve la oportunidad de concurrir en 2007 a la Conferencia Universal y vivir la fe de todos y todas, con la alegría de Jesús. Como antes le solicité a Vickey Gibbs, querría seguir recibiendo noticias, si fuera posible. Muchas gracias, paz y salud para todos y todas, María Cristina.

Leave a reply