A Message from Pastor Kaji 12/05/24

This week – the second of Advent – we hear the story of the conversation between the angel Gabriel and young Mary, who would become: mother of Jesus. But at this point, she’s just young Mary. A girl, in the village from which she’d probably never ventured far. (And when I say “girl”, I mean a child somewhere between the ages of 13 and 16.) I looked up the typical life expectancy during this period, and people could live well into and past their 70s. I say this to say that 13 to 16 was still quite young, then, as it is now. 

Most of the time, I look at this story – in churchy terms, the “Annunciation” as the turning point in Mary’s life. It is, of course. She was about to carry the most important baby in world history. But that reduces her story to motherhood. And right here, she’s something else. A girl, talking to an angel, receiving…a call. A calling. 

As I write this letter, I am sitting in a cafe in New Orleans, waiting on my colleagues in the UCC God Is Stillspeaking Writer’s Group to arrive. For the past 12 or so years, I’ve joined this group of incredible pastors who serve as an editorial board and chief writers who create publications for the church (including the beautiful Advent devotional resource I hope you’ll pick up!) For our next major publication, we’re sharing a series of call stories. I haven’t seen the pieces yet, but there are a few things I anticipate. Mostly that they’ll be fascinating and unexpected.

Those are words we could use for Mary’s call story, too: fascinating. Unexpected. Fantastical. Unbelievable. Call stories draw out superlatives like these. They’re big and weird and…rock our worlds. 

As you prepare for worship this Sunday, I ask: what is your call story? When have the angels bid you to a place of clarity in what your life is meant to be? Has this happened for you? Who have you told? What came next? 

Finally, please do take a look at the wonderfully informative labor of love that Pastor Emeritus John Payne offered in his talk on the church’s history. We have it available for you and anyone interested on our YouTube page. Thank you, Rev. John! 

Can’t wait to worship with you. 

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

SCRIPTURE
Luke 1:26-38 (Year C, p. 7):

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee, Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the name of the virgin was Mary. 28 And the angel came to Mary and said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Most High God is with you.” 29 Now, she was troubled by the angel’s words and pondered what sort of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Fear not Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Sovereign God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his sovereignty there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have not known a man intimately?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit, She will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the one born will be holy. He will be called Son of God. 36 And now, Elizabeth your kinswoman has even conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for she who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the woman-slave of God; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.