Sunday June 10th 2007

SERMON PREACHED BY THE VERY REV. BILL PHIPPS

(LAST SERMON BEFORE RETIREMENT)

AT SCARBORO UNITED CHURCH, CALGARY

JUNE 10, 2007

"UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA – CAUSE FOR HOPE"

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How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its beauty?  It felt the encouragement of light against its being . . . otherwise we all remain too frightened.”  (Hafiz, 14th Century Persian poet)

“The church has an essential place in society because she is concerned with the ultimate destiny of humankind and society.  . . .   In a time when many intelligent people doubt that humankind has a future, the church must, more urgently and persuasively, proclaim the Realm of God.”    (Wolfhart Pannenberg,Theology and the Kingdom of God)

Readings

• Isaiah 58:3-12
  

• Matthew 5:3-12
  




Announcements


Thanks to everyone who had a part in putting together the best retirement party ever.  Thank you to Georgia, the Committee, the choir and each person who spoke.  I was deeply moved and felt very humble.  Who were they talking about anyway?  Also, I can now retire as a self-respecting social activist.  I was finally arrested!!!  I can’t thank you enough for all the care you put into a fabulous evening.


This afternoon Carolyn and I invite you to our Open House in our new home  -  not far away.  It is our way of saying thank you and showing you our new place after living 14 years in a terrific manse.


Before Scripture Readings


Isaiah 58:3-12 is one of the most clear and compelling statements of our calling, challenge, and responsibility as people of the Bible.  It is poetic, theologically grounded, rooted in the experience of exodus and exile, and is as relevant today as ever.  And yes, Judy, it is one of my favourites.  When we live out the biblical ethic we will be like a light in the darkness and a watered garden in the desert.


Matthew 5:3-12 is the famous Sermon on the Mount, or Beatitudes.  It describes the way people will live and be regarded in the Realm of God.  Again in clear language, the writer says how the poor, the grieving, the humble, the ethical, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted, the ridiculed and reviled will be blessed.  Yes, blessed!


And Jane will read from the Revised Standard Version Bible that I was given when ordained in May, 1969  -  appropriately inscribed.


Sermon


George Burns said:  “The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.”  No one ever accused me of following his advice.


I begin with thanking the staff and all with whom I have worked these 14 years.  I am privileged to have worked with such great people who do their job well, with dedication and humour.  Marin, Morris, and now Cindy; Marilyn, Florence, Jamie, Frances, and now Susan and Melanie; Jill; Mela; Judy.  And so many in the congregation who live out their faith, questions, and commitments with unassuming grace  -  from the nursery to the Official Board, to committees, to special projects.  It is your involvement which energizes and propels the congregation into reflection and action.


I make special mention of Judy.  She is the best colleague, team partner, and faithful working companion.  We worked well together because of mutual respect and total trust.  Judy, thank you.  Over the years you have had added responsibility.  You could not have been more supportive and encouraging of me.  You bring depth, reflection, faith, intelligence, and abiding love to all you do.  You touch many lives, and I shall always be grateful for how we have worked together.  The congregation is blessed with your leadership.


Yes, indeed, this is a great time to be the Church.  Scarboro United Church contributes so much to the city of Calgary, as well as being there for countless individuals.  Our witness to faith, justice, and the arts is grounded not only in a thoughtful and faithful vision, but with people associated with our congregation active in the arts, in social justice, and in seeking a believable spiritual life.  There is much cause for hope right here, right now.  Just think of Morris’ family  -  eight people finally leaving a refugee camp.  This truly is cause for hope.


It is a great time to be part of the United Church of Canada.  Speaking personally, I have been deeply blessed by being nurtured, challenged, and called into ministry by the United Church of Canada.  My parents, family, various congregations, individuals such as Lloyd Bradshaw, Angus MacQueen, Yvonne Stewart, Albion Wright, Hugh McCullum, Anne Squire, Bob Smith  -  a huge host of people.  Knowing my imperfections and clay feet, the United Church has stuck with me.  We are not afraid to live with ambiguity, and theological uncertainty.  We enjoy grappling with the questions more than being rigidly comfortable with answers.


Just think of our very public conversations, struggles, and debates about Residential Schools, gay and lesbian acceptance, interfaith respect, corporate responsibility, challenging our society on poverty, war, rampant consumerism, aiding and abetting empire.


I will share a  personal story with you, which reflects personal solidarity and support, and which was all carried out very publicly:  After the Ottawa Citizen story about my theology - Jesus is not God, resurrection is not resuscitation of a corpse, and heaven and hell are not physical locations (except here on Earth) I agreed to answer questions in an Ottawa church  -  700 people showed up early on the Monday morning in front of three television networks, and other media.  There in the front row was a cousin with whom I had had disagreements, and Anne Squire, a Former United Church Moderator, as well as others who were there to support and encourage me.  People lined up at microphones, some visibly shaking with anger.  We engaged in open dialogue for 1½ hours, followed by a media scrum, followed by joining our ecumenical partners to go to the Prime Minister’s office to deliver a petition on climate change.


The media asked how I felt being attacked.  “It must be awful!”  No, I said, you just saw the United Church at its best: its leader being publicly held accountable to the grass roots church; and then joining sister faith communities in bearing witness to a crucial issue demanding strong public policy.  You saw the United Church of Canada in action.  I could do it because I saw my mentors doing it.  It is who we are.


Yes, on this 82nd birthday is a great time to be part of a uniquely Canadian expression of generosity, engagement, and compassion.  Cause for Hope.


Today’s two texts from Isaiah and Matthew form a formidable foundation.  When we engage in advocating social justice, feeding the hungry, peace-building, the actions of being a people of God, then we are like a light and a watered garden.  This is one of the many biblical calls which compelled Pannenburg to state:


“The Church has a vital, critical role to play in society.  The Church must always witness to the limitations of any given society.  The very existence of the Church depends upon its playing this critical role.  When this critical witness is abandoned, the Church becomes superfluous.”


This public witness is always within the context of Micah’s simple statement which I explored last week:  do justice, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God.  If our public witness is not enfolded with Micah’s holistic approach, the Church becomes shrill, ideological, only a protesting voice among others, and particularly one-dimensional.


Our worship helps us celebrate the glory of God, wonder of the universe, the intimate interdependence of humanity, our frailty, and our calling.


Coming back to this community of faith, we can celebrate and honour continuing cause for hope.  I leave you with two thoughts from William Sloane Coffin:


“Truth is always in danger of being sacrificed on the altar of good taste and social stability.”


“Hope criticizes what is;


    Hopelessness rationalizes it.


    Hope resists


    Hopelessness adapts.”





May you live into the future, embodying loving cause for hope.


May you be a light in the darkness.


May you be a watered garden in the desert of our times,


so that you and the world may be blessed.





Amen