Dear Saints in Santa Fe, and other far-off places,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

The Great Transition.

Whatever you might call it, we are in it.  Our politics may be a harbinger of such a transition with the current spirited conversation between past ways of ordering society and emerging new ones.

From the beginning, literally, God has been part of such conversations, calling us to remember our ancestors while reminding us “I am making a new creation.”  How many times does Jesus start off a lesson with “You have heard it said . . . but I say to you”?

The early Church embraced the vision of “a new heaven and a new earth” and no matter how much the Roman Empire tried to dim it, the vision endured.

To this day.  The day of the Great Transition.  The day when it’s our turn.

Many churches across the country are now losing the generation who built and supported the Church, who were its matriarchs and patriarchs, those leaders who gave selflessly of their time and money.  It’s our turn now.

For the past four weeks we have followed Jesus in Mark, from story to story, and realize we have only been spectators.  Like the disciples, we watch Jesus be Jesus, but we are never called to do anything except follow him . . . oh, and not be afraid.

Then it happens.  In Mark 6:7. It’s our turn.  Now.  Maybe Jesus was frustrated returning home and getting such an unwelcome welcome from family and friends.  Maybe he had Mark 6:7 in mind all along, a carefully planned blueprint to get things moving at the right time.  Maybe he realized he could not do this Kingdom of God lesson plan alone.

Regardless, it’s our turn now.

It’s our turn to support the church’s ministry and mission.  God knows we have relied on the generosity of those previous generations now passing.  It’s our turn now.

It’s our turn to teach our children and not wait for somebody else to do it.  In my estimation, this is the highest responsibility of the church, to nurture our children and youth.  Will you?

It’s time for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to fully embrace its young people and have their voices count.  Drew Hill was a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAD) to the General Assembly this year and told the Adult Education class last Sunday that he and the other 96 YADS had a voice but no vote.  Let’s change that.  We need their voices to count.  It’s their turn now.

And it’s our turn to embody kindness and compassion in everything we do, with everyone we meet, at church, in the community, at home, wherever.  It’s hard, yes, but it is essential. Will you?

So, what’s this Mark 6:7 I keep talking about?  Jesus “called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.”  We can do all this.  We have the authority, not alone but with another person, then invite some more.

It’s a high and noble calling.  It’s time.  It’s our turn now.  It’s the Great Transition.

Grace and peace,

Harry