By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman

The author of Luke begins the story of Jesus with these words: “In the time of Herod…”
It might just be an ancient form of dating — “in the fifth year of the reign of so-and-so.” But in this case, I think it’s also a reminder that Jesus entered a fearful world, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own.

Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash‍

By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.”

“Business! cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

I haven’t started watching them yet, but I have started strategizing which of my favorite Christmas movies I’ll watch with my sons while they are home for Thanksgiving, and which I will savor on my own. (They refuse to give “The Bishop’s Wife” a fair viewing and I refuse to let them yuck my yum, no matter how wooden Cary Grant is in that movie).

By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman

On the last weekend of every September clergy and lay delegates from across the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ gather to tend to the business of the conference — resolutions, bylaws, nomination of new board and committee members — and for the renewal of connections, mutual encouragement, and worship. For the last few years we have deferred the business part of our gathering to a long zoom session on the following weekend and focused our time, energy and imagination on renewing our life together. This year our theme was: Refugia Rising: Sanctuaries of Life in Dangerous Days.

By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman

Once again, there is a lot to be anxious about this Advent season.

Many of us are living in fear of the next presidential administration, afraid of the effects its policies will have on the nation and the world. Scared of what will happen to our immigrant neighbors, our trans family members, our own social security, Medicare or SSI, worried about education and access to reproductive health care.

by Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman, Pastor

Just for today.

Just for now.

Be still.

For the faithful who rejoice at the outcome of yesterday’s election, be still and know that people you love in your community are frightened and despairing. Be still and know they have reason to be.

For those in the grip of shock and incomprehension, be still and know that you are not alone.

On this unexpectedly sunny day, turn your eyes to the beauty of the world, fill your heart with the love of your family and friends and be gentle with yourself and the people closest to you.

by Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman, Pastor

In a recent lectionary reflection Diana Butler Bass compared gratitude to salt. Because, as good chefs know, salt is something that should be added to food as it cooks so that it can do its work of changing the flavor and texture of food from within.

Just so, with gratitude.