[This article first appeared in the March edition of the 'Hillside Good News' monthly newsletter. it is reprinted here with permission.] 

The Hard Work of Being a "Movement for Wholeness"
by Rev. Andy Beck

​As I write, representatives from the United Methodist Church are debating and voting on issues of same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

Most mainline protestant denominations including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have faced these questions in the recent past. The 2013 Disciples General Assembly resolution 1327 calls for the church to “become a people of grace and welcome to all”, giving clergy and congregations the power to answer these questions themselves.

Our own history as a movement challenged the church of its day. Early Disciples pushed back against the suppressive practices of the Scottish Presbyterian church. In our call to unity as Disciples, congregation by congregation, the DOC remains unsettled on questions of inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ folks.

I’ve served 5 congregations in 20 years of vocational ministry & I know how easy it is to grow more concerned about the institution & survival of church, rather than the people who make up the Body of Christ. I know how readily folks can retreat into protectionism, especially when challenges arise within their fellowship.

We can be proud of Hillside, & our history as a welcoming congregation in practice, and our faith in Christ who spoke no word of exclusion to the marginalized. I am proud that we are living into his way of love, rather than a way of segregation. Join me in prayer for our sisters and brothers in the UMC. I pray for those LGBTQ clergy that are hurt by their leaders. To paraphrase a comment I saw recently: “It’s not good news to have someone else vote on your identity. God has already claimed me as beloved.”

Hillside is in a tangential discussion. Not whether we will affirm LGBTQ folks – we already do, and with great joy. Our conversation is about how we communicate & let all people know that Hillside is a safe place to worship. One option is to vote to become an “Open and Affirming” congregation. Another is to simply adopt policies that nurture inclusive practices in communication, mission, and worship.

I have an intentionally limited role in the work of the Welcoming Committee, but I encourage your participation in the Welcoming Assessment. It can still be completed online at www.hillsidecc.com/assessment. I look forward to our work together, on behalf of the Gospel, by continuing to feed all people in mind, body, spirit and community.

​Be Excellent To Each Other! <>< Rev. Andy Beck

The author of the wisdom book Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible ("Old" Testament) knows a thing or two about the ongoing cycle of life. Transitions are a constant reminder that we're transient people, here in this place for a time then among another place. The Byrds song notwithstanding, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 depicts the ever-churning nature of life. 

1     There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

​I wrote the following note to the Elders of the church recently, and it also appeared in my regular "Pastor's Perspective" article in our weekly newsletter. I recall that even in a season of great grief currently in the congregation I serve, there is an abiding presence of God always working among us. 

"Congregations are built on seasons. We live through seasons of all kinds. Our worship is largely built around liturgical seasons. Lent is about repentance, Advent is about anticipation, Pentecost is about growth. The cycles of the congregation’s worship life is akin to the cycle of life & death that congregations have experienced for thousands of years. It’s no surprise that Hillside is not unique in this. Yes we’ve experienced a concentrated season of deaths in our congregation. And together, we have faithfully loved one another, we’ve rightfully given thanks to our Creator for the lives of loved ones, and we’ve comforted our friends with calls, cards, and condolences.

Even as we’re preparing for another couple of funerals in the coming days, we’re also in the beginning of several moments of joy in the lives of people in our congregation. We’re preparing for baby dedications and baby showers over the next several months. We’re preparing for weddings and baptisms and the joys of new adventures in life. We grieve together, and we share joy together. We move in and out of seasons, with God amid all of it for us.

The letter to the believers in Thessalonica (5:15-18) reminds the faithful community about one of our most important responsibilities:

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I am confident that we’ll make our way through this season as well, by the grace of, and in great thanksgiving for, God our Creator.

Rev. Andy Beck