21 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/October 13, 2024

Amos 5:6-7,10-15; Psalm 90:12-17; Mark 10:17-31

Opening words ~ written by Rev. Kathleen Sheets, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jesup, IA.

To the fisherman Jesus said:

“Follow me and I will make you fish for people.

To the tax collector Jesus said: “Follow me.”

To the rich man Jesus said:

“Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At the last supper Jesus said: “Follow me.”

To you and to me and to all of us Jesus says: Follow me!

Let us pray: Great God of Heaven and Earth, you call us to leave behind our preoccupations and to follow you into the future. Sometimes we find your call challenging. We are comfortable, maybe even complacent, in our present. May we begin anew this day with a hope and a willingness to follow where you lead. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. posted on the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. (adapted)

It seems that Jesus is always on the move, always getting ready to set out on a journey…as we heard once again in the very first line in today’s gospel reading… “As Jesus was setting out on a journey…” But there’s a few things that caught my attention today…I don’t think he’s usually planning to set off on a journey alone…When I think back to other stories in our scriptures about any journey that Jesus was about to embark on, as well as today’s gospel reading, he always pauses for a moment and takes time to truly listen to all the questions and concerns of the people…and is always quick to invite them to come along, to follow him, with all their questions, their fears, their uncertainties and all …to set out on a journey with him… trusting where he will lead them as they explore and learn and practice new ways of walking in love with God, with one another, and with all of creation….

This invitation to set off on this journey with Jesus, is extended to us today, as well…as individuals…and as the whole church, the body of Christ, striving to follow Jesus in walking the way of love in the world today…in such a way that all will know and experience the graciousness of God’s love and blessing that is intended for all of God’s people.

Several of us, have just returned from the Diocesan Convention in Anchorage last weekend…and there’s still more info that will be shared in the coming weeks and months…but I wanted to share with you this morning, some of the highlights that came out of our convention gathering whose theme was based on a verse included in a scripture passage from Mark 4:35-40 (GNT)…in which Jesus extends yet another invitation to those who were with him to follow him, to set out on a journey with him…he says to them… “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” …

The following (excerpts) were included in the Diocese of Alaska E-news on Oct 11, 2024 – a brief review of our time together at the Diocesan Convention – Oct 3-5 2024.

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" Sailing to Different Shores”

“…Let us go across to the other side of the lake. …”

Mark 4:35-40 GNT

In his address, Bishop Mark, called us to follow the action of the disciples in Mark 4:38, while in the boat during a storm – wake-up Jesus. The declining numbers in our churches and the challenges we are facing can feel like a storm. When “we find ourselves in the midst of a storm and the boat is sinking. Wake-up Jesus. He’s our life.”

Bishop Mark called us to look beyond the boat, look beyond ourselves and wake-up Jesus. “Let us push off from the shores that hold us afraid, let us weigh the anchor of false security in resources and numbers, and let us set sail to explore new horizons, new shores for our church, new opportunities to share the hope, life, and meaning that we have found in Jesus who accompanies us on our way.”

The Rev. Elizabeth Riley helped us explore becoming digital evangelist. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ using modern tools of communication – social media. To use these platforms, you don’t need a production company with fancy equipment – you need your authentic self, a willingness to share your faith and a cell phone.

We met in small groups to share our stories. Answering these questions: Where have you encountered the Living God in unexpected ways? When, in your life, have you felt closest to God? Where do you imagine the people in your community encounter the Living God? How can your church engage within the community to share encounters with the Living God, and be the hands and feet of Christ? These discussions led into a presentation about the Genesis II program, a partnership with the Office of Church Planting of The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Alaska, and churches. This is a six-month commitment where you explore your faith, your churches faith and your community. The South-Central Deanery is starting the work of forming cohorts of churches to work together.

The Standing Committee presented the summary findings of the surveys and conversations regarding the format of Convention, in-person, online, or alternating. (After much discussion), A motion was passed unanimously that “beginning in 2026, we would alternate between on-line and in-person for a trial period of 4 years. The practice will be reviewed at the 2029 in-person convention.”

Pearl Chanar, the Co-Chair of the A127 Commission, shared with us the progress of the Commission and that this work is difficult and will take time. Pearl is one of our own, currently in Anchorage, originally from Minto. The A127 Commission was formed by the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies, to study and report on the Episcopal Church’s history with Native American and Alaska Native Boarding Schools. It was created to address Resolution 2022-A127 passed at the 2022 General Convention; 2022-A127: Resolution for Telling the Truth about The Episcopal Church’s History with Indigenous Boarding Schools. The Rev. Dr. Anna Frank, who is also on the Commission, shared her story and encouraged the diocese to continue its work of truth-telling. The Diocese passed resolutions in 2021 and 2022, supporting The Episcopal Church’s Truth Telling about Indigenous Boarding Schools.

The Resolutions Committee brought forth four (new resolutions), all of which passed.

Resolution 2024-01 Creating a Celebration Day for Hudson Stuck, congregations of Diocese of Alaska are urged to include a celebration and prayer for Hudson Stuck on the Sunday closest to October 10; Read Resolution.

Resolution 2024-02 Creating a Celebration Day for Walter Harper and John Fredson, congregations of Diocese of Alaska are urged to include a celebration and prayer for Walter Harper and John Fredson on the Sunday closest to June 7th ; Read Resolution .

Resolution 2024-03 Committee for Recognition and Celebration of Alaska Native Saints and Spiritual Leaders; Read Resolution.

Resolution 2024-04 Support of Expanded In-Person Lay Leadership Training; Read Resolution.

We were honored to have The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, join us (on Oct 5) via Zoom and provide an update on the devastation Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene caused in his diocese. Our thoughts, prayers and well wishes were conveyed to all of them. (To also note, Tom Brackett from the national church, was scheduled to be in attendance at our convention as the keynote speaker, but his hometown is in Asheville, North Carolina and was unable to leave his community).

A special offering was taken for relief efforts and will be directed to Episcopal Relief and Development for their work with the affected dioceses and people.

These are just a few of the highlights from the convention…

Later on today, I will send out the link for the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska website that includes some of the full ministry reports, Bishop Mark’s address to the church, the resolutions, election results, and the 2025 diocesan budget info.

Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Convention page/website can be found at this link https://episcopalak.org/event/2024-convention-and-clergy-conference/

And I encourage you, as you have time in the next few weeks, to read through the reports. It’s important for all of us to be informed, to seek to understand, that we are part of a wider church body, and that a lot of our fears and uncertainties about the church of the present and the future are not “problems” or challenges for any of us to address alone.

We are invited to set off on a journey with Jesus, to follow him, trusting that where he will lead us as we explore and learn and practice new ways of being the church together, in the world today, we can be assured that he is leading us in life-giving ways and to vistas that we have yet to imagine…for God all things are possible…

Closing Prayer/Hymn: (LEVS II) 144 - Refrain

Where He leads me I will follow,

I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Benediction

(inspired by Mark 10:27)

With God all things are possible.

May you carry that confidence

into your daily life and work,

as you follow Jesus, and walk in Christ’s footsteps,

guided by God’s hand. Amen.