Legacy: Mamme (grandmother)

 

Legacy – this is Halifax’s Nocturne 2022 theme. The curators of the project write that the event is:  An invitation for all to explore their interpersonal and environmental surroundings. It is an invitation to slow down with what is present and sit with all that got us here, so we can move towards compassionate futures and communities embedded in mutual care.

It is an invitation for us to recognize the roles we play in creating, participating and upholding culture.

It is not permanence that makes a lasting impact – but instead, the space and time we take to gather, envision and create.

 

Legacy – it is not permanence that makes a lasting impact – this week I have thought about permanence and the things we collect or build for the future. Reflecting on the power of post-tropical storm Fiona and Hurricane Ian, seeing houses fall into the ocean, power grids destroyed, old growth trees decimated, whole towns washed out to sea; the contents of freezers spoiled, material goods water damaged beyond salvage, livelihood from some heritage farms and orchards ending- simply not the resources to rebuild. What does legacy mean in a time of climate crisis; where what we have thought to be permanent no longer is? What does it mean when our resources have been diligently put into property or business and that equity disappears over night?

I have thought too of legacy, in terms of church, government, and residential schools. I have brought to mind more than one conversation where people articulated avoiding church, church buildings (even for secular activities), church resources, any event that has church connected to it - because the legacy of the church is questionable.

 

Legacy – In the scripture for today we hear words written by Paul to Timothy: I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.  – 2 Tim. 1: 5

This is all that is written about Lois and Eunice. Elsewhere we hear that Timothy knew scripture since childhood, so we can assume that grandmother and mother shared scripture stories with him. Otherwise, there are no artifacts, no places or shrines named after them, no legends or sainthoods, and no other mention in scripture – but, what a legacy.  Lois is referred to with the Greek word Mamme (grandmother), it is the only time this word is used in scripture.  Lois and Eunice’s legacy is faith -- living on through the work of grandson and son, Timothy, who had a longstanding relationship with Paul. Paul, trusting in Timothy’s faith, abilities, and personhood, sent Timothy on delicate missions and to provide leadership in principal congregations. 

 

Legacy – to end my week I read an article by Rev. Anne Russ of the Presbyterian Church of the USA. Anne reflects on church and legacy, writing: Don’t let legacy be that there are no stains on the carpet or marks on the walls. The comment is about change, moving with the times, wrestling with ideas of ‘stuffy’ and ‘proper,’ understanding that relationship and healing and faith and sacrament can be messy. It is about being a church that allows for creativity in leadership and lives as a faithful contributing member of the wider community and society. Church and its legacy is not about the carpet or the walls or staying the same.

 

Legacy – Mamme. I appreciate the use of this Greek word – grandmother. Who is grandmother? Stories the world over, tell tales of the older woman with greying hair. A woman who is soft and warm and smells like homecooked food. She holds children in her lap and cradles them as she tells them stories. Mamme is generous in spoiling and giving of herself. Lullabies and prayers are whispered from her lips. She is the woman who understands the importance of creating a safe place and encourages visitors to be themselves. Mamme’s home is one of welcome and love.

I considered this week that mamme, grandmother, is a beautiful legacy. How many of you had or have a grandmother who is like what I described a moment ago? Or have there been other women who have been grandmother to you? Does that grandmother figure or figures, and who they were, what they taught, how they made you feel, continue to live on in you today?

Is there a possibility that the church’s legacy could be that of Mamme?

Consider the church embracing grandmotherhood as God-given persona. Where the church lived into a legacy of softness and warmth, smelling like homecooked food, known to be wise listeners, storytellers, lullaby singers, prayer whisperers, a safe place, that is encouraging, welcoming, loving; HOME.

 

Legacy – a lasting impact – is the space and time we take to gather, envision and create

We take time to gather. We create holy spaces. We work on relationships. We tell the scripture stories passed on to us. We share faith experiences. We dream. We hope in what can be/will be. We pray and act to bring healing and life. And this is all good, yet that is not the legacy that our current context applies to the church.

To name Legacy as a theme, the Halifax Nocturne curators must also see a struggle within the current context about legacy and what that means for other institutions, government, cities, society – as example: is legacy changing street names and removing statues or is it providing clean water and proper housing? The curators name an action for the community to take -the church to take – we are extended an

invitation to slow down with what is present and sit with all that got us here, so we can move towards compassionate futures and communities embedded in mutual care.

 

Legacy – compassionate futures and communities embedded in mutual care.

This is a legacy worth creating, pursuing, and investing in. This is a legacy that sounds like kin-dom. This is a legacy hoped for in Paul’s letters to the early church – encouraging mutual care and compassionate living. Paul mentors Timothy describing the how to create compassionate futures and community embedded in mutual care:

God gave you a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

Keep faith. Experience grace. Share grace.

Do not be ashamed to tell God’s story.

Do so with sound teaching and love.

Compassionate futures and communities embedded in mutual care  - like Mamme, grandmother- is legacy that is lived and grows from heart and feeling. It is love and faith and hope that does not get washed out to sea or destroyed by ravaging storms, but rather intensifies in strength and deepens in commitment during devasting circumstances.   May the church be such a legacy.