For if you remain silent at this time… you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14
Dear Friends in Christ,
Beyond the snowstorms, beyond the school vacations, there is a great deal going on at NHCC. Healing Sunday. San Juan del Sur luncheon. Sandwiches for Waltham, funds for Haitian health care, and two groups gathering to study.
One group is our potential Confirmands. There are eleven this year. The first week a student asked “Why is Christianity used to hate on some people?” and the third week a student asked, “Where does evil come from?” About six weeks in we’re still reading scripture trying to answer those questions, and get ready: one of their assignments is to interview a member, so someone may ask you, soon, too. Thankfully, these are the right topics for our church.
The other group is an adult book study, Sunday evenings, with about fourteen participants. We’re reading a Lenten devotional entitled For Such a Time as This, by Hanna Reichel. Like many great books, it asks how God is calling us here and now. Unlike many great books, it offers some answers and advice. We’re only two weeks in and looking forward to more.
Part of the answer for both groups is to pay attention to Lent. Take these days before Easter to ask, what does new life (resurrection) mean to me? What does my position — that word from Esther — mean to my community? What can I do to reflect my faith?
We’re trying to gather thoughts and ideas for all this from all of our members and friends with our Congregational Survey. Deacons and volunteers are trying to reach everyone (this means you) for perhaps 30 minutes so that we draw upon God’s ancient wisdom, Jesus’ way, and our community vision, for such a time as this. (When someone calls to arrange a time to talk, please do agree — and thanks in advance.) The “C” in our church initials means Congregational, which means we all have a voice, and we all strive to listen to one another.
So there is a lot going on. Come to the next meal. Join worship, even if you are at home on Zoom. Talk to the survey taker. Pray for our families (again, as in Esther) and tell us what you need for such a time as this.
Holy Week will be here soon, starting on March 29, moving to Good Friday and then Easter. And the truth is that it wasn’t just Esther called to use her position to pursue the mission of God. It is all of us, all the time. And our faith calls that Good News.
See you in church,
