September Pastoral Letter for the Season of Creation

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.

-Psalm 19

Dear Keystone Family,

September marks the celebration by many churches around the world of the “Season of Creation.” The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the Cry of Creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to listen and care for our common home. The celebration begins this Sunday, September 1st, and ends on October 4th, which is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.

The theme for this year’s International Season of Creation is “To Hope and Act with Creation,”  and the symbol is the “Firstfruits of Hope,” inspired by Romans 8:19-25. The biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning in childbirth (Romans 8:22). St. Francis understood this as he referred to the Earth as our Sister and our Mother, and we will have a chance to sing a number of songs based on his beautiful prayers this month, as we are joined by the choirs of both Prospect UCC and Living Water during our hybrid services on the 1st, 15th, and 29th of September.

The times we live in show that we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used. “Creation is groaning” because of human selfishness and greed, and the unsustainable actions that harm the Earth. Along with our Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the destructive actions that have led to the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering. 

And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life is coming forth. Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the manifestation of the children of God! The children of God are those who stretch up their hands towards the Creator, recognizing themselves as humble creatures, to praise and respect God, and at the same time to love, respect, care, and learn from God’s gift of Creation. Creation is not given to humanity to use and abuse; rather, humanity is created to be part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly. This is how the children of God have an intrinsic vocation and important role to play in the manifestation of the kingdom of justice (Rom 8:19).

For Keystone’s Green Team, every day is a celebration of the Season of Creation, and the Green Team will be front and center this month as they invite us to join with them to oppose Initiative 2117, a dangerous initiative on the ballot this fall, that would prohibit any kind of carbon tax credit trading, also known as “cap and trade.” After the service on Sunday, we will have an opportunity to hear more about how, as people of faith who are committed to caring for the beauty and diversity of creation, we can support the “No on Initiative 2117” movement and protect our communities and the environment. The Green Team also invites you to join them on Zoom on Wednesday, September 4th at 6:30pm for their regular monthly meeting.

There’s a phrase commonly attributed to Saint Augustine that says: “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” As we witness the cries and sufferings of Earth and all creatures, let holy anger move us toward the courage to be hopeful and active for justice. We believe that the incarnation of God’s Son offers guidance enabling us to face the troubling world. God is with us in efforts to respond to the challenges of the world we are living in (Rom 8:23).

Looking forward to celebrating this blessed Season of Creation with you all!

Blessings,

Rev. Adina Meyer

Transitional Pastor

Pastoral Letter from Adina Meyer

August 6th, 2024

Hello Keystone!

I have been your transitional pastor for just over a month now, and I am alternately tickled, humbled, enchanted, and inspired by the work the Keystone congregation has been doing for the past 25+ years since Rich Gamble stepped into the role of pastor. It has been a delight starting to get to know each of you, and I hope to continue forming relationships within this loving community of activists.

Most especially, I have been awe-struck by the work you do as you seek to transform society and live into what the Christian scriptures call the zoon aionion, the Messianic age, the Realm of God, the Kingdom of Heaven. This work is slow, painstaking, and often exhausting as we encounter what Paul refers to as the “Powers and Principalities.”

Jesus calls them “The World.” Theologian Walter Wink calls them “The Powers.”  Today’s activists call them “Systems of Oppression.” Philosopher bell hooks uses “White Supremacist Capitalist Patriarchy.” Here at Keystone, we use the term “The Domination System.”

Whatever names we use to describe them, we can often feel tired, depressed, and overwhelmed. Homelessness, poverty, violence, racism, and environmental devastation are rampant. How can our sock donations, our phone calls, our flyers, our marches make any difference? Shouldn’t we just sit down and give up?

Over the next month, I will be preaching a sermon series called “What Else is There to Do?” which will address the ways in which we can be encouraged, energized, and inspired to continue on the difficult Way of Jesus. This week, we will encounter the Prophet Elijah, who experienced deep discouragement; next week, Holy Wisdom, the divine feminine Who nurtures us; and finally on September 1st, the Voice of the Beloved, Who calls us deeper into Love.

I hope you will join us!

Many Blessings,

Adina Meyer

Keystone Transitional Pastor

Transition Time - full of celebration!

June is the month of transition at Keystone.

Pastor Rich will have his final Sunday with Keystone on June 30th - in-person/hybrid service. On June 29, there is a celebration and farewell gathering - see the newsletter for more info about that event. After 24 years at Keystone, the community will be sad to see Rich depart - and we are grateful for his many years of ministry with the congregation!

On June 16th, we shared a blessing with Rev. Rachel during her last Sunday at the hybrid service - she will preach and have her final Sunday with the congregation online June 23rd.

On June 9th, we voted to welcome Rev. Adina Meyer as our transitional minister - she will begin her work officially on July 1st and will guide us through a time of change and discernment in the coming months. Her skills as a spiritual director, chaplain and pastor will bless our community as we enter into this transitional time.

Change is always challenging and includes grief and new opportunities. May God’s spirit of love and peace be with our community during this transitional time!

Getting to know Adina!

Letter to the Keystone Congregation

May 21, 2024

Dear Keystone UCC Community,

I first discovered Keystone in January of 2023, when Living Water Inclusive Catholic Community, which had been founded the year before, had outgrown the homes we had been meeting in. Luckily, many of our members had come from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, which had recently closed, and someone said, “You ought to call Kate Speltz’s husband! He has a church!”

Little did I know that I would fall in love with Keystone. From the first time our board members met with the Keystone leadership team, I could see that they were like peas in a pod - seasoned, progressive Christians on fire for social justice and compassionate action in the world. It wasn’t long before I and some Living Water members started attending Keystone and heard Rich’s inspiring preaching and the beautiful music provided by Elliot and Yigit. When I discovered that I could do a ministerial apprenticeship at Keystone as the capstone to my Master of Divinity degree, I was elated. I was able to preach a few times, meet and work with more members of the congregations of both Keystone and the Taiwanese Christian Church, and complete on a couple of small projects around the building.

I am extremely sad that Rich and Rachel are leaving, although I know it is the right move for each of them. I have made myself available to be of service to Keystone as transition pastor in order to support the community during this time of transition. I am excited to get to know everyone better as we discern together about Keystone’s present and future. I will be ordained at Keystone on Saturday, May 25th by the Roman Catholic Womenpriests and I intend to seek “Dual Status” ordination with the UCC if possible.  I am eager to see how Living Water and Keystone can work together even more closely, both on social justice/activism projects and possibly developing combined worship services from time to time as well!

I was most impressed by the sentence in Keystone’s profile that read, “We do not need a pastor to save us. We need leaders to support our leadership.” I have faith in the wisdom and passion of the Keystone members, and I hope to act as a loving witness to your process as I develop my preaching voice, facilitate worship, and keep things running with the help of the wonderful Keystone leadership team. My husband Matthew is a skilled contractor and can fix anything, so the church building won’t fall apart while I’m around, either!

Please let me know how I can be of service to you all.

Blessings,

Adina Meyer