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