Beginning a new year together we continue to celebrate Jesus’ arrival, remembering that the Christian story is about the birth of love, radical and unconditional love that comes into the world to lead us to unity and peace. Whether we take the Christmas and Epiphany stories as myth or miracle, we find in them a description of love that is offered to all people, justice and redemption born in a world filled with the realities of war and poverty and natural disaster. Through the babe in the manger, we find a love that strives to put to an end the divisive presence of prejudice and hate, a love that inspires healing not just of our individual hearts but for all humankind. This is a love that arrives poor and helpless to inspire us to work to end poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

It is as we contemplate the great stories of our tradition that we can ask ourselves important questions with the start of 2012: What kind of story are we telling with our days? Are we helping to build upon the mission of the One we call the Prince of Peace?

It’s never too late. That’s what we learn at the scene in the manger, and even more powerfully it’s what we learn on Calvary, there at the cross, the place where God’s love was most brutally betrayed. But what happens in Jerusalem? Love is restored. New life prevails. The Christian message of hope is that no one can stop the God’s eternal and everlasting grace.

Yes, it’s in this season we celebrate the powers of love that bring people together. Just as Mary and Joseph gathered with the shepherds and Wise Men, so we, too, have the opportunity to build new community here at Payson Park Church and beyond. May we be opened this year to new life and greater love, by the Spirit’s power.

With love from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

February 2011

Each month we gather around many tables together. We gather for committee meetings; we gather at Coffee Hour; we gather in God’s Garden. In large and small groups we meet and talk, working for the life of the church. At these gatherings we not only share our “business” concerns but also our personal lives. No matter how or when we gather here at Payson Park Church, it is always as members of a community of faith, striving, as we proclaim, to “walk in the ways of Jesus.”

It’s with this ultimate purpose in mind we can admit there is one table around which we gather that is more important than all the rest: it’s the table set before us as we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. What a blessing it is to gather this way! Through Communion we celebrate our unity with God and one another, as well as with other Christians around the world. In prayer and contemplation we are joined with the One who calls us into new community, offering us a chance to recommit ourselves to “the living body of Christ.” What a privilege!

It’s with this sense of gratitude that we can move through 2011 together. With our new slate of Officers, committee chairs, and committee members approved at the Annual Meeting, we will gather around many tables in the months ahead. May our thoughts and words always be inspired by the table set by Jesus: the table of abiding love and communion with God.

Amen.

January 2011
As the days of Christmas lead into the season of Epiphany, we shift our attention from the baby lying in the manger to the early events of Jesus’ life. From the baptismal scene in the Jordan River, to the first miraculous act at the wedding in Cana, such stories illustrate the ways Jesus reveals God’s healing and reconciling nature. Whether teaching in a synagogue or reaching out to those in need on the streets, we see that God’s grace is for all people no matter what one’s age or ethnicity, culture or creed. As God’s beloved child, Jesus leads us to recognize that we, too, are cherished and loved as God’s unique and blessed creation.
Of course there’s a hitch. While the invitation comes continuously through the Spirit’s presence, we must prayerfully respond to such grace. What will we do? Can we receive this unconditional acceptance and inspiration? Might we allow it to change our lives?
It’s never too late. That’s what we learn at the manger right on to scene at the empty tomb. New life and love are continuously offered as the Christian message shows us that no one can stop the power of peace that’s offered by God. As we begin a new year together here – indeed, a new decade – it is my prayer that each and all of us may say “yes!” to such exuberant life. Just as Mary and Joseph gathered with the shepherds and Wise Men, so we, too, have the opportunity to build new community here at Payson Park Church and beyond. May we all be opened this year to new life and greater love by God’s inspiring and sustaining power!

Prayerfully from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY CLASSES
Beginning in October, a weekly class for Bible study will begin. Led by Lael Atkinson, each session will focus on the gospel text selected for the upcoming worship service, allowing participants to contemplate the week’s theme in an extended manner. Each discussion will be self-contained, so members and friends of the church may attend weekly or as they are interested or able. Dates and times of these evening classes will be announced in the October issue of The Messenger.

APPRECIATING THE LORD’S PRAYER
Each week in worship we unify our voices with hundreds of thousands of men and women all over the world as we say The Lord’s Prayer together. What do these words really mean to us? How do they encapsu-late our Christian faith? Through these Sunday's in SPring we’ll reflect on questions like these as th epastor's sermons delve into the rich history and current power of this prayer that is such a central part of our worship and tradition. Reflections will also occur at our weekly Adult Education class on Thursdays

The first word I learned to spell was ―candy.‖ When we were on family excursions, my father would ask my mother when we stopped at a store, ―C-A-N-D-Y?‖ For a while his secret code worked, but soon enough I caught on. I’d pull their coat sleeves, repeating the let-ters with his same questioning tone: ―C-A-N-D-Y?‖ With the advent of my father’s death on April 13, many sweet memories fill my mind: the way he’d reach into his pocket as we got older and give each of us a dime so we could choose our own treats on those family treks; or the crinkle of the bag he held on Valentine’s Day as he’d lift out five small hearts filled with chocolates at the dining room table; or the sound of our squeals when he’d bring in the pan of fudge we’d begged him to make some Saturday nights as we watched ―The Honeymoon-ers.‖ From ferry boat rides to fishing trips, camping adventures to tennis games, I shared many special moments with my father, alone as well as with my two brothers, sister, and mother. Of course it is in this time of loss I hold such memories close. In the quiet of my mourning, I cherish times shared, grieve that there weren’t more, and feel deep sadness that my father’s life on earth is now ended. I’m also grateful for your many prayers that surround me. As people ask, ―Is there anything I can do for you, Lael?‖ I find myself answering, ―Reach out to someone and let them know you care.‖ In the spirit of life everlasting and of God’s love that never ends, live with courage, make connections, build community. We hold the gift of life in our hands this very moment. May it be sweet, rich, full, even in times of sorrow. May we share it with trust and joy, together and with God, all in the light of the empty tomb. This is the Easter promise. Thanks be to God. Prayerfully from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up? Did you make any special commitments for the forty days of Lent?
Now that we find ourselves entering the season of spring, I’ve had a new idea. What about Easter Resolutions? Why don’t we make commitments related to this central celebration in the Christian year? Could we consider that?
Easter Resolutions: promises that inspire us to embrace the transforming love found in the empty tomb. They could be something large or small. For example: is there a relationship in your life you know needs some special attention? Or: would you like to take better care of God’s creation by taking a greater interest in environmental issues or your own physical and emotional health? Or: do you sense you could be helping those in need by giving more of your time or money to nonprofit organizations or to the church?
Easter Resolutions: it’s an idea that can challenge us to think more practically of ways the resurrection leads us to live with less fear and more passion, as the life and teachings of Jesus live on in the world through the very actions we take, personally and communally. This is the good news of our great faith: the love and grace of God cannot be killed. Jesus is risen! Let us then fly!
With love from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

Did you know that only 20% of Americans attend church services regularly? Do you realize that 86% of those who find a new church “home” do so because they were invited to attend worship by a neighbor or friend?

Those statistics come from the Reverend Paul Nickerson, Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice Ministries of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Challenging members of local churches to share the joy of our spiritual communities with the “un-churched,” Paul stresses the need to reach out to friends and neighbors to help our communities thrive and survive. How are we doing this at Payson Park? In what new ways might we try?

It’s with these questions clear in our minds that we continue celebrating the Easter season. With signs of new life surrounding us in nature and through the great message of resurrection, we can be inspired to share the love of God and church community in new ways. On Saturday, May 2, “Sunday School Musical” will be shown in the late afternoon. On May 10 our worship will be filled with special music as we recognize the care and nurture offered by mothers and others. The following Sunday at five o’clock, a “Variety Show” will be presented, an hour of entertainment that you may participate in or simply enjoy. From worship services to weekly fellowship and educational events, Payson Park is filled with vitality and new life. How will you choose to participate? Might you consider inviting a friend or neighbor to join you?

I ask these questions in the spirit of gratitude. It is wonderful to be with you here at Payson Park Church in this time of challenge and new life. May we continue to grow together spiritually, emotionally, and as a healthy, thriving organization, all through the grace and goodness of God!

Faithfully from,

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

Signs of new life surround us: bulbs have sprouted and blossomed, the trees are beginning to bud, the sun shines more warmly on our skin. After a long, snowy winter, the arrival of spring is something we are grateful for. What a joyous time of year!
In a similar way, we also celebrate the new life at Payson Park Church. Here, as the season of Lent leads us to Easter morn, our worship themes move to the miracle of the resurrection as we marvel at the message of new life and healing found at the empty tomb. Christ is risen! God offers new life and hope to the world!
Of course, before those words flow from our lips we must move through the events of Holy Week together. By listening to the words of scripture portraying Judas’ betrayal on Palm Sunday and the passages describing the trial, execution, and death of Jesus on Good Friday, we face the reality that the one we call Savior and Lord was rejected by the world. It’s with that knowledge we contemplate how we, too, reject God’s presence in our lives. How is it we turn away from the love and grace of God? When do we choose to ignore the teachings of Jesus?
With the days of Lent still unfolding, these are questions that invite us to reflect upon our commitment and confess our failings so that we might become more loving, dedicated Christian men and women. That is why I hope you will consider attending the Sunday and special worship services in these upcoming weeks. This is a time we seek renewal and grace together, that by the light shining from the empty tomb we may truly live as God’s creation, proclaiming to the world, “God is alive! Love never ends!”
In hope and with love from,

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

As it was said many times on Sunday, January 25, by many different people, the past year we shared together was full of challenge. Updating our bylaws, assessing our name, and forming a budget in a time of organizational and global economic strain, had us working hard in new ways to talk faithfully with each other, always with care, respect, and patience. After many church forums and congregational meetings, we came to our Annual Meeting ready to speak and listen again, voting openly, then, in the Congregational tradition. It was an historic day in our life together, and I thank all who were present for the faithfulness shown, and Al Gledhill, our Moderator, for his leadership. While the name of our church did not change with the events of this past year, I believe our community did. We grew in our abilities to live and learn together in all of our diversity through difficult times. Through God’s Spirit and our love, we moved through a year of great transition.

January 25 was also the day we said “farewell” to Rob. Celebrating his nine years of service, we gave thanks for the ways he touched so many people through his ministry, young and old alike. His preaching and teaching, his pastoral outreach and mission involvement will be greatly missed. At the same time, we can be glad that his spirit lives on as we continue traveling the path we shared with him. Though we are parted physically, we will forever be joined by the Spirit’s power as we work to build Christ’s mission in this world.

And that is what we prayerfully undertake as we move forward together with nearly 130 positions filled on the newly approved Nominating Committee’s slate. Day by day, week by week, we will work together so that we and others may come to know more deeply the great Christian claim, “Love never ends.”

Amen—may it be so.
TheReverend Lael Atkinson