all over the world

Renée Antrosio – April 18, 2023 1 Comment

As is my custom, I enjoyed a walk while listening to NCF’s online worship Saturday evening. Hearing the voices I love is a treasured gift while traveling. I appreciate each element, woven artfully together by Barbara’s planning and K. McGuire’s skilled labor. I am thankful for Jeff’s message; as Jackson observed on Easter, NCF teachings are indeed special and unique. Grounded in this experience, I am able to enjoy a very different expression of the body of Christ elsewhere. 

Pastor Steve is off these two weeks, though no one seems quite sure where. When an Illinois pastor goes southwest after Easter, where goes a Texas pastor of a little Methodist church? A retired Anglican minister from South Africa preaches from the lectionary. I focus on the best parts of her message- Jesus comes to us where we are locked in fear, shame, and doubt and speaks “Peace be With You.” As disciples, we learn; as apostles, we are sent. The two hymns are good ones. They also have scheduled a congregational meeting for April 30 immediately following the service. 

The fragrance of flowering yucca, wildflowers, and bridal wreath fill my senses. The bees are busy on the blooms. My vitamin D is replenished on morning walks with Pray as You Go:

Perhaps grace, gratitude and generosity are all part of the same spiritual experience?

Instead of the gym, the senior citizen exercise group in the park beckons me to join them. Yesterday, I harvested a bunch of carrots and cooked up a mountain of swiss chard from my dad’s garden. Soon I will plant cannas, both here and at home. All this will hold me through the vagaries of spring in the Midwest, where my own yard will soon be burgeoning. 

I am reminded of a song from my childhood:

All over the world, the Spirit is moving. All over the world, as the prophet said it would be. All over the world, there’s a mighty revelation- of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 

Wherever you are, may you feel the movement of the Spirit and the revelation of the glory of the Lord. Deep down in your heart. All over the Church. And right here in this place.  -Renée