Preaching for : A Liturgy Focused on Mental Health

 January 26, 1986  - millions of people, including classrooms full of eager school children, were gathered around televisions to count down and watch the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. Shortly after taking off the space shuttle exploded into pieces.  Seven astronauts died. For those watching, - shock, disbelief, silence, panic- there was nothing to say, no action to take- the image and reality just sat with us, a collective group traumatized.

A few days later in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State at Holden Village Retreat Centre, those living there received the news. As a community they held a prayer vigil and sang the hymn, Healer of Our Every Ill, a new hymn created in that community for this occasion by Marty Haugen so that the community could make expression of their collective grief and a grief of the larger loss to America as a whole.

 

Following the sermon, the hymn of the day is, Healer of Our Every Ill. It was chosen for the service because our focus today is a liturgy focused on mental health.

I had no idea, until I sat down to write, the circumstances for the writing of this hymn --- a hymn that sits well with many, perhaps that is so because it speaks to our experience, where according to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience mental health issues in their lifetime. And each person affected has family and friends who experience the mental illness in relation to their loved one. With the intention of focusing on mental health, our own, our loved one’s, the community’s, this hymn is good news - a wealth of instruction for the church and an openness to the journey of healing.

The hymn is not all that different in character from Psalm 43, read earlier.  You will note similar progressions in thought.

 

Much of what we do in Christian community and worship is relatable to life, unfortunately too often the church has failed to articulate connections, assuming that people and the world will make connections and creatively apply what is said and done. In terms of mental health, the church has a rich well of healing to draw from. Today’s hymn draws us to specific gifts of healing:

 

PRAYER –

The church when worshipping together does a lot of praying. Pick up our hymn book and you will note all the prayers in the front for various occasions. You find a prayer for each Sunday of the church year. Read through the liturgy and count the ‘amens.’ As a community we spend time praying together. Continue reading the hymn book by reading the texts of the hymns, and note that the words are prayer, in the form of thanks, help, praise, lament, confession, intercession.

Healer of Our Every Ill is a prayer addressed to God as Healer.

The prayer is one for healing of body, mind, and spirit – a wholeness of being.

The words express thoughts and feelings that humans find difficult to put into words.

The big ask, and a prayer on many a human heart today, asks God for

Peace beyond fear and hope beyond sorrows.

What a mantra for these times; a phrase to repeat as one falls asleep, a prayer for those moments in the day when overwhelmed and ready to quit:  God for peace beyond fear and hope beyond our sorrows.

 

NAMING-

Church and Christian community, as I have experienced it, is a place that allows individuals and communities to name – to articulate that which makes us less than whole. We name grief, sin, injustice, illness, hopelessness. Through story we wrestle with the complexities of life.

There is a poster in the church hall that reminds us that God is with those who are less than whole: Noah got drunk, Joseph was abused, David was a murder, Gideon was afraid, Elijah was suicidal, Jonah was a coward, Martha was a worrier.  Investing the stories of these loved Bible characters one easily sees a connection to mental health. Working through the stories helps communities wrestle with similar issues.

The hymn of the day is important because it names the mental health concerns of fear and sadness.  Are you experiencing either or both of these? In a time of pandemic and uncertainty, if we are honest, all of us have experienced both – as a community we have experienced both.

Our naming of where we are also names the where we want to be: peace beyond our fear and hope beyond our sorrows.

 

JOY-

When we gather together to pray and worship -coming with our fears and sadness- the Spirit of God moves among us. There is a collective bearing of burdens and an exchange of energy.  There is a quiet understanding that we come as we are to share in relationship; to share a hearing of good news and God coming to us through word, water, bread, and wine. There is an expectation of grace. There is an expectation of feeling more put together and alive when we leave than when we arrived; having received peace and even gladness. In the hymn of the day we pray: Grace us with peace and gladness. We also ask to be open so that we witness and experience:  How [God’s] grace is still unfolding; acknowledging we are not entirely whole, but have received enough for today and hope for tomorrow. This peace, hope, gladness – is this not a form of joy?

 

Consider this morning’s Gospel from John 2. Jesus is at a wedding celebration, where they run out of wine. Jesus is asked to make more. Jesus takes vessels of water and turns them to wine. The story is celebratory and leaves readers with a sense of extravagant abundance.

This is a great miracle story, one that we can put ourselves into… imagining being in the experience.

I wonder though, as Jesus’ stories go, if we need to consider that there is a deeper meaning to this tale. Water is life, it is part of life, it is ordinary; in the case of this story water is readily available and ready for use. The story relates wine to the hospitality of a host for their guests; it is celebratory and it is shared. Wine is related to joy: the joy of the wedding day, the joy of the host, the joy of sharing, the joy of the guests celebrating.

The human body is 75% water, filled with life, yet, ordinary. Joy is water turned to wine, metaphorically speaking of course. We can be filled with wine. We can be filled with JOY. And in this story of Jesus’ miracle, it is not the wine that brings the joy, it is the continued hospitality of the host and the continued celebration of the guests. It is the infectious nature of relationships of all sorts of people together in a group to celebrate love, generosity, and hospitality.

 

ACTION-

Healer of Our Every Ill, commends to those singing its words, an action plan to help one’s mental health and body-mind-spirit balance. The hymn prays: give us strength to love each other – urging one to show love and kindness to siblings. The hymn also prays, teach us all your way of healing, noting that this action is continual until compassion fills each heart. There is an articulation of hope, future possibility, where compassion fills each heart. I want to be part of that. I want to experience that. I can work toward that vision, one loving act at a time.

 

 

Four carafes of water:  PRAYER, NAMING, JOY, and ACTION

 that when embraced and practiced as a community of faith, work to improve our mental health, and as our health is made whole, it -the good news- reaches into the neighbourhood -

and there is abundance as water is turned to wine.

 

Healing God,

we stretch our hands out to lay them on each other, we pray for our siblings in Christ,

those of us connected in this moment through technology;

grant comfort to those suffering mental health issues. When siblings are afraid, give them courage; when afflicted, give patience; when dejected, give hope; and when alone, assurance of the support of your holy people. For all, we ask your peace and gladness. Believing in the power of the Spirit we await grace upon grace and an abundance of mental health, wholeness, and joy.  Amen.

 

Washed in the Water

In Mi’kma’ki (the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people) the land is divided into seven districts. Of these seven, four tracks of land are described in relationship to water. So too, the land where the church sits, Halifax, is named in relationship to water. This sermon journeys through being in relation to water:

considering baptism and reflecting on local waters, Water’s teaching, and Creator’s gift.

 

Mi’kmaq is a verb-based language, difficult to translate into English. As we journey through the districts, I invite you to think about ‘things’ (nouns) as verbs, full of action, movement, and agency. Consider baptism a verb- not something that happened to you once, or a ritual one attends, but, rather, an ongoing occurrence.

The introduction to the baptism section in our hymn book reads:

Although a person is baptized once, the gift of baptism continues throughout a Christian’s life. p225, ELW

And later…

Washed in the water and marked with the cross, the baptized children of God are united with Christ and, through him, with other believers who together form a living community of faith. Although we are set free to live in love and faithfulness, we continue to turn away from God and from one another. Confessing our sin involves a continuing return to our baptism where our sinful self is drowned and dies, in the gift of forgiveness God raise us up again and again to new life in Jesus Christ. p 238

I visualize these words in the rise and fall of the tide. I hear these words in the continual ebbing and flowing of waves.  I smell these words in the salty wind. I feel the words in the clinging dampness and mist over the waters. Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ, the baptized children of God are united with Christ, and through him, with other believers who together form a living community of faith.

 

People who live in Atlantic Canada are in relationship with water.  Water affects us every day: the weather, creatures and their habitats, food that can be grown and gathered, leisure activities, work opportunities, travel.  So too, baptism -washed in the water- is to be water that daily affects every aspect of living and being.

 

Living surrounded by water – Water can be an example and a reminder to us, teaching us, and continually drawing us to the continued gift of baptism.

 

The land between NB and NS is known in Mi’kmaq as:  Siknikt – the Drainage Area.

This salt marsh is a unique ecosystem that filters water through its grasses. It is full of nutrients and food for many species. It is home to two bird sanctuaries, and millions of migratory waterfowl stop over to rest and eat their fill.

Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ this water teaches us that

All are welcome!  And this includes migrants, travelers, the seekers, the weary, the homeless, the hungry, those needing a safe place. All are welcome! And there is rich abundance to share.

 

Moving to the western part of NS is Kespukwik – the Last Flow.

This is the land defined by the coming and going of water in the Bay of Fundy. Every day there are two high and two low tides, that powerfully move 100 billion tons of water. The power is like that of 8000 train engines working together.  

Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ this water teaches us that life has highs and lows that powerfully affect us, our areas, and our communities.  The sheer volume of water that moves is astronomical and reminds us of the power of working together through the highs and lows to affect change; to wonder at the mystery of such power and to experience the Creator in the highs and in the lows. 

 

Moving to the East, in the Northumberland Straight is Epekwitk  – Laying in the Water.

This is the land of Prince Edward Island. For many it is an ocean playground, a place for relaxation, vacationing, time with family, time away – time to disconnect from being busy and reconnect with earth and water.

Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ ‘Laying in the Water’ teaches us that God holds us – offering a place, space, to right our relationships – to rediscover ourselves and the people around us, to reset connection to creation, to rest in the Spirit, to kindle gratitude.

 

Unama’kik aq Ktaqmkuk – are the Foggy Lands and the Land Across the Water.

This is the land of Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Both lands are picturesque with great vistas, and lands that are large rocks battered by storm and sea.

Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ fog and rough waters teach us to be aware, to be prepared, and to be ready to lend a hand. Life’s journey is not always clear decisions or worry-free sailing. There are those who loss their lives at sea. In the Foggy Lands and the Land Across the Water it is the people affected by water who teach us the value of community, neighbour-looking-out-for-neighbour, grieving together, rejoicing together, fishing or rescuing together.

 

K’jipuktuk-  the Great Harbour

This is Halifax. A naturally deep channel where ships can safely come to port.

Washed in the water and marked with the cross of Christ there is safe harbour. Although a physical place, consider the great Harbour as the Creator’s open arms. Unconditionally open to receiving ships coming off the seas. A port full of grace - whether love, forgiveness, kindness, redemption, salvation, wholeness.

 

Surrounded by ocean, Atlantic Canadians witness the continual coming and going of waves of water. A continual cleansing, a continual receiving and letting go.

Living – washed in the water- all are welcome, abundance is shared, the Creator is present in the highs and lows, together there is power to affect change, God holds us, relationships are righted, gratitude is kindled, we are prepared and aware – ready to lend a hand, to go fishing or rescuing together, the Creator (the Great Harbour) is open.

 

Baptism living is hearing the voice of the Great Harbour – you are my beloved – and being freed to sail, to come and go following the One who was baptized by John, walked on the water, and calmed the seas.

 

 

You are beloved – to you Fair winds and following seas.

Pieces of Coloured Glass - The Journey Begins

 

 

And Magi knelt down and paid him homage.

Then, opening their chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. 

 – Matt. 3: 11b-12

 

 

First, I would like to thank all the writers of this devotion series.  All of you have truly blessed us with your perspectives and the sharing of yourselves. You have given us a great gift! 

With this great gift in our hearts,

our attention turns to journeying forward.

 

  

The journey of Advent-Christmas-Epiphany is an epic journey through which hope, peace, joy, and love grow. At Epiphany we reach the Christ-child with the Wise Men, and soon enough the Twelfth Night is done, Christmas is packed up for another year, and the New Year sweeps us forward.  

 

As I stand on the church steps, where the attached photo is from, I am holding the feeling of the journey we have just experienced together: Pieces of Coloured Glass. I hold in my heart gratitude and beauty. As I look out at the nieghbourhood, I feel compelled to journey door to door and share the Good News. The devotions shared and the final parting of the Wise Men by another road, has me considering the idea of by another road. I know the neighbours well enough that arriving on their doorstep shaking a Bible or preaching would not spread hope, peace, joy, love, gratitude, or beauty! 

 

I am inviting us to look at the neighbourhood, to begin the journey taking God-with-us from the manager to the street. I am inviting us to share hope, peace, joy, love, gratitude, and beauty AND by another road invite the neighbourhood to participate in what God is doing in the world.

 

 

BY ANOTHER ROAD – Sharing the Gospel in our neighbourhood project:

 

Through to the end of January, the church is collecting $25 grocery gift cards (Superstore, Sobeys, Walmart). Gift cards can be dropped off at the parsonage. Donations to this project can also be given to the church electronically (marked for Pastor’s Discretionary fund).

As gift cards come in, they will be distributed to our neighbours with a card:

 

Dear Neighbour,

 

This gift is for you!

We pray that it fills you with hope and love. This is the message we proclaim.

 

The past two years have been difficult and life altering. This gift is a token of love.

You are not alone. You are seen. You are beloved neighbours.

 

1.       With JOY use this gift card yourself. OR

2.       Give it to someone you know who could use some help/hope/love. OR

3.       Purchase items to give to an organization you support in the community.

 

Thank you for participating in what God is doing in the world.

You are in our prayers. Peace be with you.

 

Love,

 your neighbourhood Lutheran Church

 

 

If you are reading this and would like to use this idea in your community, by all means, please do! May all the world participate in what God is doing.   #forthehealingoftheworld

 

 

God-with-us,

Thank you for being at work in the neighbourhood and in the world. Thank you for the gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, gratitude, and beauty. Thank you for filling our hearts with these gifts. As we journey from the celebration of Christmas-Epiphany, take us into our neighbourhoods willing and able to share the good news and inviting others into participating in your love. 

Amen.

Pieces of Coloured Glass - Wise Men Scene

 

 

 

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

 

(From In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rosetti)

 

 

My grandmother Močiutė, as I call her in Lithuanian, loves the Mandarin restaurant!  On her birthday, there is no place Močiutė would rather go than for all you can eat Chinese buffet! As I learned from my grandmother, one does not simply arrive at the Mandarin for dinner, you must prepare yourself for such an incredible feast. On the day of her birthday, my grandmother would refuse to eat all day in order to make more room for what she was about to receive! Having lived through WWII and fleeing Lithuania as a refuge, my grandmother had been through times of intense hunger. Having tasted so much hunger in her life, she knew the value of food. When I reflect on the gifts of the magi this year I think of my grandmother gleefully preparing room.

 

In the Christmas story we hear how the magi brought precious gifts to the Christ child for his birthday. Often time we can see this as a wonderful gesture of giving lavish gifts to the new born king. I think there is also another layer to this story. To me, the gifts of the Magi are as much about what they are giving up, than what the Christ child is receiving. During the advent season we often talk about the gifts of Love, Joy and Peace the Christ child brings. I think the Magi would gladly exchange their gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh for these greater gifts. When they come to see the new born Jesus they lay down some of the most precious earthly things, they let Jesus know that he is worth more to them than these. Even the Magi prepare room for a gift greater than themselves.

 

As you prepare yourself for the coming of Christ (this Christmas and beyond), what earthly riches are you holding on to? What is taking up room in your heart and keeping you from receiving the gifts of deeper peace, truer love and greater joy? 

 

Dear God,     

Help me to make room in my heart for the eternal gifts you offer me. Where I have held on to hate and shame, may I let go and lean on your everlasting arms. Where I have held on to hurt and pain may I let go and know the joy of your forgiveness. Where I have chosen worry and fear may I let go and rest in your peace, for nothing can separate me from your love. Amen.

        

                                                                 -----Pastor Mark Kalvaitis

Pieces of Coloured Glass - Wise man #3

 

The Magi – An Epiphany Story

 

The stained glass image of one of the Wise Men, is associated by many with a heart warming Christmas story, an extension of the Christmas Miracle.

The journey of the Wise Men is recounted in the Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-12, on The Feast of the Epiphany.

By that time in the season of Christmas, the presents have been opened, and a new year is beginning. The spirit of the new year for many is a time of reflection. A time of new beginnings, and a journey forward, in one’s own Christian journey.

 

 Journeying in this world may not be without challenges, with both its highs and lows.

 The journey of the Wise Men as described in Matthew, was not a simple journey, and not without challenges.

With a seemingly innocent inquiry of, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage,” had its repercussions. Putting it mildly, in modern terms, King Herod was not impressed.

 As such, it became necessary for them, to make adjustments in their journey. After paying homage to the Christ child, they made a new exit strategy for their journey home. “…having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road."

Our human journeys, with the bringing of gifts, the bringing of one’s self, both in journey, and in community with each other, may require adjustments, and, other roads. Perhaps the stained glass image of one of the Wise Men, might represent the mosaic of life, or the mosaic of a journey, made up of individual pieces.

 As the Wise Men, were being guided by a star, “until it stopped over the place where the child was.” Following the star, the Wise Men were searching at a time of darkness, with the star being visible, in a darkened sky.

Jesus is the light, in a darkened world !

May the Peace + of Jesus be with you, on your journey.                        

                                                                     ---- Pastor Bill Macintyre