SLOW KINGDOM COMING

Almost every Sunday, we pray for the coming of God’s Kingdom “on earth, as it is in heaven.” And yet, for all the speed at which the world changes, why is it that God’s Kingdom seems to be so slow in coming? That’s the question that underlies the book that we will be reading together and focusing on at Central this Lent:  Slow Kingdom Coming, by Kent Annan.

“Another family huddles in fear as bombs rip through concrete and flesh…. Another innocent young black man is assaulted as though guilty…. Another woman was raped on a college campus, her cries later answered with shame instead of justice…. A child, instead of going to school, walked three miles to fetch a bucket of water that will give him diarrhea…. Another person made in God’s image was denigrated for her gender or sexuality instead of receiving the respect as a fellow child of God…. The world’s richest eighty-five people luxuriate in as much wealth as the poorest 3.5 billion people try to survive on. Today someone gave everything at his dignity-crushing work to provide for his family. He still didn’t bring home enough.”

            Truly, God’s Kingdom is slow in coming, but the book doesn’t just point out the obvious. It doesn’t just raise questions. Instead, Kent offers five practices that he suggests can help us to remain faithful to the long term work of “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly in the world”—attention, confession, respect, partnering, truthing—practices that will be our focus at Central for five weeks of Lent, beginning the week of March 5. We hope that you will join us for the journey, recommitting yourself to God’s Kingdom coming “on earth, as it is in heaven.”

--Pastor Don Steele

Love

Love. The month of February is particularly full of it, with Valentine's Day, and for our family, Cora's birthday! Yes, she's now one! 

Wikipedia defines love as "a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that ranges from interpersonal affection to pleasure". And we all know that there are many different kinds of love. But the "attitude" part of that definition is what I've been thinking about for the past few days. Perhaps it is because I was gifted with the name Charity (thanks Mom and Dad!), or perhaps because of nature (my DNA), or perhaps because of nurture (thanks again Mom and Dad!)...but to me, love is what I strive to live and breathe every day. It is an attitude, a way to be. Don't get me wrong, plenty of things can make me mad and a bit love-less, but most of the time, it is the things that are done with complete disrespect to love that upset me the most...those things done in the name of hate and done to divide. I see these things happen, and I think, these people must not know love, or perhaps they once did, but have forgotten it. And my heart breaks, and I get sad...but I also feel even more vigor to love harder and fuller, because there are clearly holes where love is missing in the world. 

What if we all loved a bit harder and a bit stronger, especially now, following in the footsteps of Jesus who preached love above everything else? What could we do in the world?

-Dr. Charity Wicks

In Support of Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters

Last Friday, February 3^rd, several members of Central Church, including pastors Don and Deborah, along with members of the surrounding community, visited the Union Township Islamic Center Union County (“ICUC”) for midday prayer services to show support for our Muslim brothers and sisters following the administration’s travel ban.  About fifteen of us experienced some of the rituals of Islam and heard a sermon focused on inclusion and religious freedoms that have long been the history of our country.     

The relationship between the two faith communities began over a year ago, when ICUC warmly welcomed members from Central Church visiting the mosque, who were looking to engage with practitioners of Islam to better understand Islam and help counter the recent wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric following the horrific Paris bombings.  

Since then, the relationship has continued to grow with ICUC President, Wail Rasheed, providing tours to the curious among us of the ICUC facility and a short introduction to the practice of Islam.  Central has hosted a series of lectures called “Crossing Roads,” geared toward understanding and appreciating world religion, at which Dr. Rasheed spoke.  Our youth have jointly participated in preparations for a Midnight Run.

The outpouring of kindness and welcoming last Friday was palpable.  ICUC and Central are looking forward to continuing to grow and strengthen our relationship.  Please stay tuned for opportunities to learn about and meet our brothers and sisters down the road.

-Coleen McCaffery

In addition to our World Religions series, “Crossing Roads,” Central offered an in depth study of Islam this past fall with Dr. Ali Chaudry, president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. Pastor Steele and the Summit Interfaith Council, over the past year and a half, have supported the  Society’s efforts to construct a mosque in Bernards Township—an effort that received a huge boost forward in a favorable court ruling at the end of 2016 that found zoning rules had been used in ways that violated the Constitutional rights of Muslims to free exercise of their religion.

Teaching Generosity

MINE! Children seem to be born knowing how to take what they want - even willing to fight for it, when they are little. As much as we teach kids to share, sometimes it seems like our voices get drowned out by a culture that emphasizes buying and consumerism. As kids grow, sometimes we wonder if our message is getting through.

Developmental experts tell us that early experiences of hands-on service can make a big difference in teaching kids to be generous, and that it helps them become generous adults.

With Souper Bowl of Caring on February 5, a Midnight Run on February 10, Stockpile Sunday on February 12, SHIP on February 12, Mission with Mommy on February 15  and Family Promise hosting from February 19 – March 5, and on-going tutoring on Tuesdays, we at Central are showing our love for God and our community through our commitment to mission, and giving kids and parents lots of ways to learn about generosity.

At Central, we emphasize mission with young children by giving them simple tasks to complete that allow them to share their skills and energy, bringing a wonderful, enthusiastic expression of care and hope. As kids get bigger, they are able to help in different, more complicated ways. Elementary-aged kids love to show their generosity by preparing a meal for Family Promise, or playing a game with a younger child as an evening host. Serving younger children gives older children not only an experience of generosity, but also one of connection, helping a child understand that the differences in ethnicity, religion or housing status don’t need to create divisions.

For adolescents, learning generosity is crucial. As kids get ready to leave home, we know that they need tools to respond to life’s difficulties. A generous heart, a deep-rooted faith, and a desire to serve others can all be tools that help our kids be adaptable and resilient. At an age where social, academic and athletic pressure can become overwhelming, giving back helps young people gain perspective about their own blessings, to see their efficacy in the world and how they really help to make things better, and especially to see the real and living hope that comes from being a part of God’s work. Older kids are ready to participate in mission that brings them face to face with difficult situations, while giving them the support of their faith and adults who can help them see the hope we have in Christ, teaching kids see how to respond to difficulty.

Teaching generosity not only helps our kids learn to share, and be nicer to be around, it builds their faith and gives them the tools they need to meet life full of hope, with an open heart and ready to find connections and solve problems. Teaching generosity helps our kids to be ready to meet the future and to bring their gifts into the world.