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Dear friends and members of University UMC: |
| Womb of Life, and Source of Being, home of every restless heart,in your arms the worlds awakened; you have loved us from the start.We your children, gather 'round you at the table you prepare.Sharing stories, tears and laughter, we are nurtured by your care.– A Prayer from The Chalice Hymnal |
| Today is Mother’s Day weekend and it is also Asian/Pacific Islander Month. However you are celebrating, we take a moment to remember the origins of each of these observances.
Thanks to my study of United Methodist Church history, I am aware that early advocates of Mother’s Day in the United States originally envisioned it as a day of peace. Below you can find a video from United Methodist Communications sharing more about the history of Mother’s Day. This weekend I will be observing Mother’s Day in a fairly traditional way as I drive to see my mother with homemade cake in hand, but I recall the words of Harriet Olson’s words in this video. She reminds us, “When [Methodist laywoman] Ann Jarvis was working to establish Mother’s Day as a national event, and when her daughter picked up the mantle from her, they were not thinking about greeting cards and flowers.” Olson is the past Chief Executive officer of The United Methodist Women, the predecessor of United Women of Faith. Rather, it was a time to honor and support mothers who lost sons and husbands to the horrific violence of the Civil War. In recent years Presbyterian pastor Rev. Carol Howard Merritt tweeted: |
| “Clergy!....Mother’s Day did not start as a Hallmark holiday. It started in the Methodist Church to honor all of the women who worked for peace and justice. It was an anti-war movement that focused on hydrating babies, ensuring sanitation, and building hospitals.” |
| Amen!
I’m grateful for my mom who has a heart for justice. This is a picture of us taken several years ago when we traveled together to the border to protest unjust immigration laws. We like to joke that the mothers and daughters who protest together stay together! |
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| Of course, Mother’s Day can be complicated for a great number of people. This is not always a happy holiday for everyone. It can stir up tender or even painful memories and uncomfortable feelings. Our hearts join together for all those who may be struggling this weekend. I’m including below a prayer written by a colleague and friend of mine, Rev. Blair Thompson-White. While it was written many years ago, I find the words give life to a range of experiences and emotions.
I’m excited that this Mother’s Day weekend we will welcome guest preacher Rev. Dr. Jeehei Park. Dr. Park is a New Testament scholar and ordained deacon in The UMC. While elders (like Pastor Earl and myself) are ordained to word, order, sacrament, and service, deacons such as Dr. Park are ordained to word, service, compassion, and justice. Dr. Park, wife of our own associate pastor Rev. Earl Kim, is a deacon who lives out her calling in the world of academia teaching at Austin’s Seminary of the Southwest. Rev. Kim and Dr. Park and their precious daughter Saige are incredible gifts to our UUMC family. I’m grateful for their presence and their voices in our congregation. |
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| May is also Asian/Pacific Islander Month. It is an invitation to learn about other cultures and to continue our own work in antiracism. Below you can find the statement by President Carter in 1979 proclaiming May as Asian/Pacific Islander Month. The world and the country we live in are fraught. Hate and injustice seem to have the upper hand. And yet, as I write these words I am thinking of you and the many ways you embody the love of Christ and doing what you can to bring some peace and compassion to your corner of the world. I recall the words of blessing as our confirmands were confirmed last Sunday: “May they [may we!] continue to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” |
| I glance up just now and scan my bookshelf and see a book entitled “Front Desk” written by Kelly Yang. One of my sisters-in-law gave this book to my daughter years ago. It tells the story of a girl named Mia who lives in a motel. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Along with many other wonderful books, this book can now be found on lists of banned books. I don’t even have words to express my sadness and anger about it all. I only know that diversity is a gift from God. That the way of love and inclusion is the way I’ve been taught. And to ban books is to silence God’s creation. |
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| Thank you church. For all you do and all you are. For all the ways you strive to listen to God and the diverse voices in God’s creation. What a joy to be your pastor!
Teresa |
| | “You gotta listen, you gotta care, and most importantly, you gotta keep trying. Sometimes terrible things happen, but there's nothing more terrible than not having anybody to tell it to. It's going to be okay. I'll make friends, and if I don't, I'll borrow books from the library.”― Kelly Yang, Front Desk |
| | | | A Proclamation Regarding Asian/Pacific Islander Month, 1979by President Jimmy CarterAmerica's greatness--its ideals, its system of government, its economy, its people-derives from the contribution of peoples of many origins who come to our land seeking human liberties or economic opportunity. Asian-Americans have played a significant role in the creation of a dynamic and pluralistic America, with their enormous contributions to our science, arts, industry, government and commerce.
Unfortunately, we have not always fully appreciated the talents and the contributions which Asian-Americans have brought to the United States. Until recently, our immigration and naturalization laws discriminated against them. They were also subjected to discrimination in education, housing, and employment. And during World War II our Japanese-American citizens were treated with suspicion and fear….
Now, Therefore, I, Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, declare the week beginning on May 4, 1979, as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. I call upon the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. |
| | Methodist History: The Founding Mothers of Mother's Day |
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| | | A Prayer on Mother’s Day by Rev. Blair Thompson-WhiteGod of Every Day,On this daywe are encouraged to remember mothers—Not all of us feel the same wayon this day.Some of us celebrate our motherWe give thanks for her supportand influencethe ways she nurtures and guides usFor mothers who show us your love,Lord, hear our prayer.But some of us can’t celebrateWe are distant fromour mother disappointed,hurt and bittertowards herFor mothers who cannot or could not show us your love, and for children who struggle to forgive,Lord, hear our prayer.Some of us can’t celebrate because our mom is no longer with uswe miss herand while we hold on to memories we really just want to hold her again and let her hold us againFor children who miss their mothers, who feel motherless, Lord, hear our prayer.Some of us can’t celebratebecause we are too tired being motherswe play and listen and teach we worry about our childrenwe worry that we are not good enough mothersFor women who are raising children and those who are empty nesters but still raising children, Lord, hear our prayer. Some of us can’t celebrate because we are not motherssome of us wanted to be some of us didn’t want to be some of us wonderif we are thought less ofor if we are missing somethingFor women who are not mothers, Lord, hear our prayer.Some of us can’t celebrate because we mourn the loss of our childrendisagreement and conflict havecaused a break in our relationshipSome of us can’t celebratebecause our children have diedwe join with mothers around the world who have walked with their child through illness and disease,those whose children have died from accidents, natural disasters,and hungerFor mothers who have lost children,Lord, hear our prayer.Whatever this day holds for usyou hold all of our mothers and all who mother us,and you hold us. Amen. |
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