A Letter to Rose: It's Not About the Bunny

My dearest Rose,

It was so wonderful for us to be together on Easter! I am thrilled that you are speaking my name and ask for me from time to time. What a joy that is, to be known by you. . . and even more for us all to be known by God!

Speaking of God, I wanted to write to you to remind you of something very important about Easter. Easter is not about the Bunny. I hope this is not news to you.  Now I know we get all carried away with taking pictures with the Rabbit and hiding eggs (bunny eggs? No!) and all of that fun stuff, but Easter is about what God has done and is doing in our lives. You see, Rose, Jesus is God's son. His only son in the flesh, who came into the world to make sure that all of God's people (that means you and me and Mommy and Daddy and everyone else in the whole wide world) would know him. Just like you know my name and God knows our names, God wants every person in the world to know his name. To know someone's name is to know them deeply and have a relationship with them. The bunny is cute and all, but the bunny didn't do anything for us that required such a deep and abiding love.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that Jesus loves you and so do I! And he came into this world so that we would be free. You don't know what that means yet, but someday you will. Someday you will know the pain of sin and joy of being forgiven. Someday you will understand that there is darkness in the world (you won't like it but you'll recognize it) and you will know the light of Christ. This is the light that shines in and through you because of Jesus, because of your baptism.

Oh and one more thing. In the church on Easter we always get to shouting this really cool phrase because we are so exciting that God raised Jesus from the dead. Yes, that's what I said, he was dead and in a tomb after he was hanged on a cross almost 2000 years ago. But God did a miraculous thing: he made Jesus alive again. And not just for a few days or weeks or years, for ever and always! So in worship one person will say, "Christ is risen!" And then everyone else shouts back as loud as we want to show how happy we are, and we say, "Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!"

Why don't you try it? It's kind of fun actually!

Here's a picture of you, my darling girl, on Easter day.

See you soon,

Your Godmother -Aunt Amy

The Beauty of a Small Church

I've been an active disciples in churches of all sizes, from 500 in worship to 25 in worship and everything in between. I've also examined many churches and the way they function as the people of God who are on a mission in the world. After having served a church with around 100 in worship for the past 12 years* I am more than ever convinced that the small church is the church with the biggest mission per disciple. This is not a competition, of course, just my own personal reflections as a parish pastor and an encouragement to any who might come across this post who wonder if the small church is worth investing in.

In a small church:

* it's impossible to remain anonymous (unless you simply don't participate and, well then. . .)

* when you show up, you are surrounded by friends

* when you don't show up, people are concerned about your health and well being- even if you are just on vacation

* there's a job for everyone which means the pastor can't and won't "do it all"

* because there's a job for everyone, everyone is using their gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God

* there's a collaborative spirit in the small church because we know what it's like to work on a shoestring budget, with minimal resources, and we are great at tapping into our collective creativity

* worship is like a family gathering EVERY week

* the announcements at the beginning of worship are very personal because we care about all aspects of each other's lives

* children are a major focus and are included in everything; so are the elderly!

* we have the joy of watching each other grow over the years as God draws us deeper into faith and service as we have a common vision for what God is calling us to be and do in the name of Christ

* history and tradition are important foundations for the community

* we have a lot of fun together and that Spirit of joy can be felt as soon as a visitor walks in the room

* it's easy to become a part of the faith family; we welcome everyone!

In a culture that celebrates "bigger is better," the small church simply exists to serve its neighbor. No church is the church for everyone. Each has its own character. But before you write off the small church in your search for a faith home, consider what you are looking for. The small church isn't around to entertain but to inspire. The small church is a true community where love and forgiveness prevail, where spiritual growth is expected, and where we serve side by side in Christ's name.

In Christ,
Amy

* When I began serving Trinity Lutheran Church we were only 35-40 but have grown in many ways, including numerically, over the years.