SCRIPTURE
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. Ephesians 2: 19 – 22
Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash
REFLECTION
This scripture evokes the idea that we, every one of us, are holy. We are part of the household of God –wow! This feels assuring and also intimidating. It is assuring in the affirmation that we all coexist in an intended and organic manner. It is intimidating in that it requires great responsibility to dwell in the household of God. Vacillating between these two feeling of assurance and intimidation brings me back to a late night conversation I had with my cousin, Caroline. We were in the midst of sharing our beliefs about God and Christianity and the afterlife. We both admitted our skepticism at times, but we both harkened back to that feeling of assurance…that this is all intended and for that glorious intention to perpetuate itself, we must hold the intention in our hearts, share it with others, and continuously lift up our humanity and togetherness in an imperfect and, often, heartbreaking world. I am an only child. The closest semblance to sibling relationships that I have is through my cousins. I have amazing cousins. We have lived much joy and much pain together. I return to this conversation with Caroline often as my rationale, empirical way of thinking takes hold of me. I far prefer to live in the household of God working to perpetuate this vision.
Welcoming is one way to live in the household of God. In my current role as Director of Mission and Faith Formation at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Denver, the past year has been unusual. The pandemic, of course, but also the extensive construction and renovation occurring here. One of the key phrases I often hear is that our church will be more welcoming aesthetically after construction…and it will! We will have a new entrance and doors, additional windows on the front of the building allowing ample sunlight in, an updated elevator, more accessible restrooms, and Purple Door Coffee Shop that employs unhoused teens and young adults. This coffee shop will feature a patio on Sherman Street for the beloved community of all to gather for beverages, conversation, music. As I parked my car and fed the meter this morning, another encampment of unhoused people had sprung up overnight. I quietly fed the meter hoping not to disturb the campers, but part of me wanted a head to pop out of a tent so we could exchange greetings. I then took this thought a step further…I wonder how unhoused people will interact once the presence of Purple Door right on Sherman St is established. Is this a welcoming opportunity for them to see a church that intentionally incorporated a coffee house to employ the unhoused? Does this help break down the barriers of supposed strangers and aliens? If so, how? Is it a meaningful conversation and educational opportunity for all beloved community? Every one of us is part of God’s household. Every one of us has a unique story that belongs in that household. Thanks be to God and the gloriously messy household that envelops all of us.
PRAYER
Welcoming God, living in community is hard. We come from different backgrounds with a variety of perspectives. We confess that we often think that ours is the only “right” way and fail to realize that our perspective is just a small part of your larger picture. We are thankful that your household welcomes all of us and that there is always space for more. Give us the strength and courage to confess our shortcomings and the guidance to work more faithfully towards living into the beloved community. May we bear witness to your welcoming Spirit in everything we say and do. Amen.
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Molly Brown serves as Director for Mission and Faith Formation at Central Presbyterian Church. As director, Molly believes faith is built via serving others in need in one’s community.